West Lancs Premier Division
Coppull United looked to follow up last weeks cup success with a victory in the league but faced a tough task against a resurgent Poulton side.
Club captain Dave Parker was away and unavailable for selection as where Ben Morris, Jordan Bentham, Dylan Bennett, Jimmy Hamer, Jordan Wilson, Martin Kershaw and Adam Pickstock. The starting line-up consisted of Joe Leather in goal, a back 4 of Cam Culshaw, Jack Wright, Cam Murphy and Conor Whitaker. It was Nathan Bibby, Jonty Mattock and Louis Barrow in central midfield and they were flanked by Jack Ramshaw on the right and Jimmy McIver on the left. Up top was Nat Lindley. The bench contained Alessio Degrassi and Lewis Schofield. The oldest player in the Coppull squad was Jimmy McIver at 28 years old…. the rest where 23 and under.
The Poulton pitch was very soft under foot and took some getting used to for both sides. Coppull started the game well with Lindley a constant threat from the off, holding the ball up well and bringing the midfielders into the game. In central midfield the youthful trio of Bibby, Mattock and Barrow started to get a real foothold in the game, moving the ball well and supporting Lindley at every opportunity! The opening goal came from a set piece. An in-swinging corner from Barrow was met by a great leap from Cam Murphy, who powered a header in off the crossbar and past the Poulton number 1! Wild celebrations followed as Murphy made the most of his first goal for the club (in the right net anyway!) A second goal soon followed and it was a moment of sheer brilliance. Coppull moved the ball well in the midfield area before Bibby beat his man and found Barrow in the area. Barrow turned two defenders inside and out before producing a chip that was simply sensational to send Coppull in 2 nil up at the half time whistle.
Coppull came out for the second half expecting the Poulton onslaught, and so it came. Defensively Culshaw and Whitaker were excellent at keeping their respective wingers quiet, whilst Jack Wright and Cam Murphy superbly marshalled Poulton’s main goal threat Max Landless. At the other end Coppull continued to look a threat. Lindley missed a chance at the back post when Ramshaw crossed. Ramshaw was the man to make it three nil however when he hit a shot from 25 yards which caught the keeper out and hit the side netting. Again, the youngsters celebrated exuberantly with Ramshaw getting his name of the scoresheet for the first time in a 1st team shirt. 3 nil became 4 with another great Coppull move. Some free-flowing football resulted in Bibby being played in down the left and his cross was volleyed home by captain for the day, Lindley. A great team goal! Subs Schofield and Degrassi were introduced for Barrow and Ramshaw and it could have been even better. Another great move involving Culshaw, Lindley and Mattock released Schofield with no Poulton defender within twenty yards of him. Unfortunately, the defender lost his head when faced with the opportunity to make a real name for himself and passed the ball into the keepers hands. Poulton were awarded a dubious penalty with minutes left on the clock to give them a late consolation and take some of the gloss off what was arguably Coppull’s best performance of the season to date!
Next week Coppull travel to Tony Hesketh’s Fulwood Amateurs…..hopefully they can maintain their recent impressive form!