Both sides played their part in an entertaining 90 minutes, although the
game's main talking point arose from a controversial refereeing decision
midway through the second half.
Formby were the better side in the first half, and were good value for their
half time lead. The goal came in the 5th minute when a long ball forward
caught out the Daisy defence, and Formby striker Neil Smith collected the
through ball, and finished with a low shot into the corner of the net. The
same player nearly increased the lead two minutes later, when he was allowed
time and space to fire in a shot from inside the box, but Daisy keeper Mark
Sumner made a fine save. After surviving the early onslaught Daisy rallied,
and Dave Whitter and Martin Hastings both came close to equalising, but half
time approached Formby began to dominate and a mixture of luck and bad
finishing meant that Daisy went in at half time just the one goal behind.
After a quiet start to the second half Daisy began to control the game, and
after creating a few half chances were denied an equaliser midway through
the second half. A ball into the box found Mark Westworth, and as he
dribbled the ball round Formby keeper Lyndon King, the keeper caught his leg
and knocked him off balance. Westworth quickly recovered and and slid the
ball into the net - just a split second after the referee blew to award a
penalty. Despite furious protests from the Daisy players, the referee ruled
that the whistle had gone before the ball crossed the line and the goal
didn't stand. After the objections subsided, the home camp's misery was
completed when Daisy captain Neil Melling's spot kick was saved by the
keeper.
Undaunted, Daisy pushed forward and were rewarded with the goal their
efforts deserved in the third minute of stoppage time. Dave Whitter sped
down the left wing, whipped in a cross to the near post and Jimmy Dixon
finished from close range.
Although Daisy could feel justifiably aggrieved about the penalty decision,
Formby created a greater number of clear cut chances over the 90 minutes,
and a draw was probably a fair result.
This Saturday Daisy make their first ever trip to the home ground of
Stoke-on-Trent side Norton United, for a North West Counties League Division
Two game. Kick off is 3 pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article