The return derby came round very quickly since the 4-3 victory for the big club, the match was eagerly anticipated by both sides and another healthy crowd at the welfare ground.
Much like the first game the cricket club started the quicker of the two sides and dominated the game in the early stages. The majority of pressure again came from set pieces however unlike the first game we dealt with the threat convincingly - Potts was confident in claiming a couple with others headed cleared.
Towards the half hour mark we started to get a foothold in the game and Mordue and Renwick had a couple of opportunities, one of which I was screaming for Sam to square for the unmarked Wilkinson but he lost the ball. In another attack Renwick beat two men and was sandwiched between them, which we were convinced was a foul which would have resulted in a penalty kick, the ref decided against this.
Just after this we had a better shout for a penalty turned down again - Sanderson fouled on 6 yards when about to tap home a rebound, again not given by Mr Swindells to our disbelief.
The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was Embleton's free kick which crashed the cross bar a couple of mintues prior to the break. A first class hit from Graeme who left the club earlier this year to return to the cricketers.
Half time came and both sides would've thought they could've been in front which a touch more fortune and certainly both sides still thought they could win the game.
Renwick almost opened the scoring within minutes of the restart a cross from the left was misjudged by Mellor and Renwick hit it almost too well with Hall sitting on the ball - Skid will tell me if he knew much about this but he'll also tell me that doesn't matter which is very true.
The only real flash point of the game came with two mistimed studs up challenges from Thornton on Richardson. Boomer conceeded after the game he thought he was off and maybe he should have went for the second challenge but at least no injury came from it.
A period of pressure then came which we appeared to be dealing with. A free kick from Hall was punted to around 16 yards which Potts decided to come and claim. He didn't get a lot on this and the ball fell to Ward. I applaued the resulting finish which although looked easy carried a lot more skill and presence of mind to ute and gave the cricketers the first goal which I always thought would win the game. The first goal is huge in any game but at this stage it meant even more.
We almost equalised minutes later a superb header from Summers crashed the post and came out - hard to take and even more as Liam has lifted the side so much since his return.
The game was made safe when a long ball was collected by Yates and his pace brought him in front of goal to make it 2-0 with a solid finish.
Congratulations to the cricket club and thanks for the hospitality after the game it's much appreciated - an even season in one won each might keep everyone happy
A special mention to Mr Renwick for playing after cycling the coast to coast in a little over 7 hours the day before - I know he told me he was frsh but his movement wasn't quite the same although I don't blame him at all
Washington Cross keys next week - see you bright and early boys
