match270903

The Primrose welcomed Thornton Hibs to the Humbug today with revenge in mind for the 4 1 defeat inflicted on us a few weeks ago and right from the off it was the home side who took the game by the scruff of the neck.

The play was fast and furious and although the Hibs had their share of attacks Rushford was solid in the Primrose goal, indeed with only a few minutes play he caught a well struck cross and although receiving a knee in the back for his trouble he held firm and this was repeated over and over again through out the game.

Sykes up front proved to be a thorn in the flesh for Hibs defender Dursley who resorted to some pretty rough stuff when frustration at not being able to stop him crept in, in fact he had to be helped from the field after injuring himself in the second half trying in vain to stop Sykes who's cross found striking partner Gary Osborne who put the ball just over.

Mcleod, who seems to have a taste for goal this season took the initiative a few times and came close before the end of the first half with two good, long range efforts.

Into the second half and the pace of Graeme "Dixie" Deans was beginning to make in roads and this coupled with the support of Foster set up Sykes on at least three occasions with each being just off target. The best chance of the game fell to Deans midway through the second half when he broke through the defence and met a perfect cross on the volley only to see it scrape past the post. Thornton pressed hard but Millar and Ash always seemed on hand to mop up and as stated earlier any crosses, so often the undoing of the Primrose this year were food and drink to Rushford today.

A fine, passionate game by the Primrose who were justifiably disappointed not to take all three points.

Primrose substitutions were Patrick for Sykes and Nicholson for Westgarth.

Thornton substitutions were Cunningham for Dickson, Hepburn for Dursley and Gallagher for McAinsh

Teams

Primrose:
Rushford, Hobbs, Foster, Millar, McLeod, Laing, Westgarth, Ash, Osborne, Sykes, Deans
Subs: Smith, Nicholson, McQue, Wilcox, Patrick

Thornton:
Danks,Thomson, Buist, Dickson, Duncan, Reid, McAllister, McAinsh, Braid, Dursley, Watson
Subs: Cunningham, Gallagher, Fraser, Hepburn, Ness

Referee: William Conquer *** Seemed reluctant to use his cards despite some persistent fouling (Dursley on Sykes) then booked Millar with 5 minutes to go for a soft challenge. Blew for time bang on 90 minutes when Crossgates had just played a ball through that was a clear scoring chance, conveniently forgetting about the 5 minutes he stopped the match for Dursley to be treated and substituted

Contenders for man of the match this week were Rushford who was solid in goal today and Westgarth who had another solid game at the back before having to leave play injured. However, man of the match, yet again, was the ever youthful Tommy Ash who was all over the pitch today and every challenge was a winner.