Mud, Grit, and Glory: Poulton’s Derby Duel Ends in Narrow Defeat Against Wren Rovers

On a night where the conditions resembled something from a Tom Hanks’ war film, Poulton took on local rivals Wren Rovers in a highly anticipated local derby – with Wrens looking to extend their unbeaten run and Poulton looking to continue their winning ways.
 
If ever the pitch was a 12th man, it certainly played its part in this game. Wrens quickly evidenced that they knew their pitch immediately from kick-off when a simple pass held up like a trolley rolling uphill over speed bumps to which Sillett read and got there first. This was the catalyst in revealing that there was another hurdle for Poulton to overcome on the night.
 
But despite the pitch mirroring a meadow fit for Jurassic Park that not even Alan Titchmarsh could rescue, Poulton took an early lead. The ever-dominant Threlfall-Newton’s showed Wren’s Sillett why you don’t go shoulder to shoulder with him, before finding Joyce when his quick turn in the middle preceded a beautifully lofted pass out wide into Sawkin’s path allowing him to shift his weight onto his left foot and slot home from close range.
 
Although Poulton controlled for most part after the first goal, the pitch would have its say again as another simple pass back to Rids stopped short meaning he was rushed into a clearance that was picked up and a counter attack started. Some neat football in the middle from Wrens got Harris in behind down the left wing before a brilliant ball square across the face of goal to Sillett, saw him pull back onto his stronger left foot and – like Sawkins – finish cooly from close range.
 
The battle remained closely contested until Wrens got a corner in the 26th minute. The ball whipped in by Wrens’ Sillett was met by the head of Threlfall-Newton but fell to the dangerous Seear who weaved past two down the byline in the area before being brought down and finishing the subsequent penalty. This is how it remained in the first half.
 
The second half provided the spectators with end-to-end entertainment to counter any feeling of misery as a consequence of the weather, with both teams having golden chances to extend and level.
 
In fairness, Wrens will be disappointed not to have extended their lead, but would have done if it were not for the brilliance of Adam Ridings on more than one occasion – one of which remains unbeknownst as to how the net wasn’t shattered after a shot from 3 yards out was not just saved, but also held by Poulton’s number 1. The ‘Save of the Season’ competition may as well close its entries now.
 
Despite having 61% of the possession and double the passes made to Wrens, debutant Jack Hayton and co were simply unable to capitalise on their chances to force an equaliser and must now accept a narrow derby defeat to a deserving Wren Rovers.
 
Assistant Manager John Wigglesworth had this to say; “It’s a result that we will be gutted with, but we displayed a lot of dominance in possession and we’ve no doubt that now the Tuesday Curse is over we will convert these into 3 points. We look forward to the reverse fixture”
 
Saturday sees the boys make the short journey across Europe as they face Cleator Moor where they will be hungry to bring the 3 points back!