2 - 2 against Appleton Boys AFC A Team

It was a spooky halloween morning as a man dressed all in black roamed the pitch in a ghostly manner, as he turned to face the crowd, they gasped in shock,  surely it couldn't be, could it.................it, it was a referee.

Crosfields needed to bag some points in this weeks match as they slipped further behind Cherrybrook and Cadishead, and a third place spot was beginning to look like the best they could hope for.

Ben Bedford and Richie Norman were off, so the starting line up was Luke Prescott left wing, Nathan Redmond centre forward, Thomas Ley right, Ben Crank centre midfield, with Matthew Prescott and Cameron Henderson like David and Golieth in defence. Baylie Coates in Goal.

From the start of the game Appleton played with flair and the crowd knew this would be a tough game for Crosfields, who were always slow starters. Appleton seemed in control until Nathan Redmond had a good long run down the pitch to worry for the first time the Appleton defence and goal keeper. Every chance he had Redmond  showed strong determination and pressured the keeper in the hope that he may make a mistake that Redmond could capitalise on. 

The  Crosfields forwards were needed to bolster the defence in the first few minutes, and it was all hands to the pump as Thomas Ley headed the ball out for an Appleton corner. As the corner came in it was well defended by Luke Prescott, and after a goal area scramble, Matthew Prescott cleared the ball to safety.

Appleton were very strong and after a delightful passing movement, the Appleton no 6 put the ball into the back of the Crosfield net. 1 - 0 Appleton.

Following this Crosfields put together great moves, Coates kicking the ball out wide to Ley, who passed to Redmond in the centre, out wide to the left and Luke Prescott who was just unable to keep the ball in play. Appleton took the throw in which was met by Ben Crank of Crosfields, who looked up a took a long range shot on goal, that just went over the bar.

The game continued with end to end action, there were good defensive moves from both Cameron Henderson and Matthew Prescott, and several impressive runs from Ben Crank, Luke Prescott and Thomas Ley.

Substitutions were made and Cameron Henderson and Luke Prescott came of for Richie Norman and Ben Bedford to come on in  like for like positions. Crosfields contiued to be strong particularly down the right and Nathan Redmond battled hard against the Appleton defence. Thomas Ley put a great ball into the box to be met by the head of Ben Bedford, unfortunately missing the target.

A series of balls rained into the Appleton area, and although Redmond kept up the relentless pressure on the Appleton keeper, he kept his cool and as the halftime whistle blew it remained 1 - 0 to Appleton.

When Crosfields returned to the pitch Nathan Redmond had been substituted for Luke Prescott, and Matthew Prescott came off for Cameron Henderson. Luke Prescott returned to the left and Ben Bedford was moved to centre forward. Play resumed in much the same vein as the first half until Appleton were awarded a free kick. This was struck well and flew over all the players and into the back of the net. 2 - 0 Appleton.

Crosfields then collectively stepped up to the mark, Luke Prescott having a shot on goal following a great long pass from Ben Crank. After another goal area scramble, resulting in a shot from Cameron Henderson which went out for a goal kick. Ben Crank was well into stride picking off the goal kicks, he put a beautiful ball forward in a long mid air pass which fell nicely for Ben Bedford, who put it past the Appleton goalie. 2 - 1.

The team continued with this momentum and it wasn't long before Thomas Ley took the ball down the right, crossed into the area only to rebound out and for Ley to slam the ball accurately into the Appleton goal. 2 - 2.

Appleton fought well and responded with a break, after Baylie Coates came out to punch the ball to safety it fell back at Appleton feet and after what the crowd suspected was going to be a third goal for Appleton, Luke Prescott confused the Appleton striker by sticking with him tightly and nipping the ball away.

Thomas Ley and Ben Crank substituted for Nathan Redmond and Matthew Prescott. Play continued in a battle of two evenly matched teams and  you could feel the tension of all the supporters, as neither team could monopolise on their chances. In the dying minutes the referee awarded Appleton a free kick after a strong tackle by Nathan Redmond, who had worked hard since returning to the pitch. The Crosfields supporters held their breathe as Appleton took the free kick which was cleared out for a corner by Richie Norman.  The Appleton corner produced some great defending by Matthew Prescott, and as the ball was cleared up the pitch the Ref blew the final whistle.

Final Result Crosfields 2 - 2 Appleton

Scorers Ben Bedford 1, Thomas Ley 1

Man of the Match - Nathan Redmond