Top of the table Sankey Arms travelled to Leigh Rec. for their 3rd game of the season against Cronton Woodcutters. Gaz Boldsworth was absent for this match and Danny Rushton was also out with injury, both seemingly had a limp. Before the match kicked off, the Sankey Arms touchline were up to their usual match predictions for the score which were in the high single figures. Once the game had kicked off Sankey Arms realised that this game was going to be well contested. The first notable moment in the match was when Scott Deans’ attempted to maim yet another person with one of his hefty sliding challenges, although he only managed to pull his hamstring. An emergency substitute was needed, the only man for the job (the only defender on the bench) was Ade ‘the Buffalo’ Griffiths. Danny Rushton’s replacement, Phil Briers got off to a flying start, missing the ball on his first touch, apart from this he was in for a solid display. Sankey Arms and Cronton were playing a poor game, so The Sankey Arms touchline, led by Carl Calland, let off some Chinese crackers. The referee was not doing either team any favours, blowing up for some minor tackles and not allowing the teams to play their football. The refereeing at times got to every player on the pitch, although Dave Morgan and Neil Harrison felt that it would be okay for them to verbally abuse the referee, although he put them back in line with ‘stern’ words. Half-time Sankey Arms 0-0 Cronton Woodcutters.
At half time Sankey Arms manager Sean McFarlene gave the squad a very inspirational talk. This came as a surprise to hear the overly aggressive manager say something good. As the half kicked Ade ‘the Buffalo’ Griffiths went for a low header as the attacking player tried to kick the ball, only resulting in him being kicked in the face, this is where some entertainment was bestowed on the match. In the 53rd minute the quite Mike Gallagher was substituted for Ian Given, who made an instant impact on the game. In the 58th minute of the game Given played the ball through to ‘Uncle’ Dan Heavey who coolly finished to make it 1-0. This is the longest time in Sankey Arms history that is has taken the team to score a goal. Moments later a mistake from Neil Wearing led to the frustrated Dave Morgan to show his anger and an argument ensued. As a throw-in came to Morgan, he played a through ball to Wearing, who put in the second Sankey Arms goal of the match, this resolved the slight dispute between the two. To celebrate the goal, club chairman Carl Calland let off a second Chinese cracker, the referee, John Parker threatened to call the match off for possessing explosives on the sidelines. Sean McFarlene decided to give Tom Hansen his debut appearance, making way for Dave Morgan. The Woodcutters pushed on for the attack, they came perilously close from a cross, but the ever triumphant Ade ‘the Buffalo’ Griffiths cleared the ball away from the line. In the 80th minute Neil Wearing was booked by the referee for abusive language, and the match finished with a tame outcome.
