West Lancashire Premier Division
Coppull United FC’s first home game of the season welcomed Thornton Cleveleys to Blainscough Park. Thornton are always a handful for any opposition, and if their 5-5 result at the weekend was anything to go by, entertainment and goals were guaranteed!
Coppull started with Joe Leather in goal, a back 4 of Conor Whitaker, Dave Parker, Ben Morris and Jimmy Hamer (replacing the absent Nathan Bibby). In midfield it was Jay Briody and Jordan Bentham playing centrally with Jack Gooden, Nat Lindley and Jimmy McIver all supporting Greg Brickell up front. The substitutes bench included Cam Culshaw, Jordan Wilson, Alessio Degrassi and new signing Chris Holt.
Coppull started the game well trying to play the ball around the park and at times some of their play really caught the eye. Thornton were more focussed on a diagonal pass over the Coppull full backs and relying on the pace of their forward line. When in the final third, Thornton posed a real threat to the Coppull back line. Similarly, to Saturday’s game Coppull needed to score whilst on top early on in the game however early sighters from Brickell and McIver didn’t really test the Thornton number 1 and when played through Jack Gooden just couldn’t connect from Mciver’s through ball. Nat Lindley beat the Thornton centre half to the ball and when he was closing in on goal he lost his footing with only the keeper to beat. Left winger Jack Gooden collected the ball on the right-hand side of the box and tricked his way past two Thornton defenders and was brought down in the box however the referee seemed to miss this and waived the stone wall penalty away! Minutes later Thornton forced a corner from the right and Coppull failed to clear their lines and Heaney forced the ball over the line to give Thornton an early advantage. Coppull could have got on level terms when a penalty was awarded for deliberate handball, however Brickell rattled the penalty against the crossbar.
Another good breakaway from Coppull resulted in Mciver weaving his way through the Thornton defence before cutting in on his left foot however his shot was straight at the Thornton keeper. Mciver broke forward again and when well-placed should have passed to Gooden who would have been in on goal however he delayed the pass and Thornton managed to regroup and get men behind the ball. With all these chances coming and going the inevitable happened and Thornton doubled their lead with a strike of real quality from Stoney on the left-hand side which sailed into the top corner of the net. Half time and Coppull trailed 2-0.
A double change was made at half time with Wilson and Holt replacing Brickell and Lindley to try and inspire a change in fortunes. Coppull probed throughout the second half again playing some really nice flowing football at times however seemed to lack a cutting edge. Thornton proved to be very resilient in their defensive approach and with Lawson up front always looked a threat as he could hold it up and bring others in to play but also look to run in behind. In saying that the Coppull defence looked a lot more assured in the second half as opposed to the first half and Joe Leather in goal was a spectator for much of the game, having one or two saves to make and picking the ball out of his net twice in the first half. As the game reached its climax Coppull through caution to the wind Degrassi came on for Whitaker to add a further attacking option however it was to no avail. Another game where Coppull didn’t capitalise on their good opportunities and some more mistakes which the opposition took full advantage of as well as a great strike proved to be the difference on the day!
Saturday we welcome Vickerstown to Blainscough Park who have played 2 won 2 so far.