Heswall FC - season still tough but cause for optimism: a round-up of weekend league and cup action

Pictures from Heswall Reserves vs. Black Horse FC by Bob Shaw and Simon Poe

In keeping with our poor season so far, the weekend's games went the way of the formbook as our First Team continued its recent trend of starting games sluggishly.

Up against Chester Nomads, we found ourselves 4 – 0 down before we kicked on and started to play some decent football. Goals came from skipper Luke Naylor who has been a rock for us this season, and Travis O'Brien who, in his first season of Division 1 football, has excelled and continues to build on his burgeoning reputation. We were back in the game but again it was a bit too little too late. 

We know we need to build on these strong second half performances and start games positively right from the whistle to give us a chance of victory.

Manager Neil Sharpe has brought a more authoritarian approach and continues to demand a more professional mind-set from the lads with a focus on standards and fitness. We are sure the results will come with the lads buying into the new regime.

The Reserves were in cup action as our Wirral Amateur Cup campaign got underway against local side Black Horse FC. The game was balanced with both teams creating chances - only for it to be spoiled by a terrible decision from the referee who awarded Black Horse a penalty for a foul committed a clear five yards outside the area. It was a shocking failure from the man in black. The penalty was dispatched with aplomb by former Heswall great Matty Holt, putting us on the back foot and chasing the game.

Our lads stepped up and battled hard against an experienced side and got a deserved equaliser when, following a goalmouth scramble, Callum Poe was on hand to tap the ball home from two yards for his first goal in senior football, a proud moment for him and his watching family.

As is our luck at the moment, we couldn't hold on and a defensive horror show gifted Black Horse an opportunity which they grabbed, scoring a winning goal to secure a place in the next round.

Prior to the game, Reserves Assistant Manager Kev Thompson stepped down in order to concentrate on playing. We thank Kev for his contribution on the management side and will continue to see him in a Heswall shirt this season.

While results are going against us this season, performances are improving and with the lads training every week we are confident that with settled teams we will soon start picking up the points and enjoy the second half of the season.

We continue to seek out new partners to become involved with our club, so if you are a local business who'd like to explore getting involved with Heswall FC, then please contact us.

We offer advertising packages to suit most budgets. Interested? If so, please contact me, Chairman Robbie Matthews, at [email protected].

Many thanks.