MSB Woolton Take All Three Points

Bacup Borough came into the game looking to put some valuable points on the board following the goalless draw with Uppermill FC.

Brady Boardman returned to the starting line-up with Callum Hewitt unavailable, while there was also a welcome return up front for Toby Wright, who has been carefully eased back into first-team football following an absence of well over 12 months through injury.

Great to see Toby Wright in action after a long lay off

Borough started the game positively, with Kyle Siddle causing problems down the left-hand side. However, poor marking inside the Borough penalty area allowed Ethan Cross far too much room to control the ball before calmly side-footing past Billy Blake to give Woolton an early lead.

Just 11 minutes in, the visitors doubled their advantage. The experienced Joe Harvey latched onto a ball over the top and was brought down from behind by Connor Morris, leaving Borough with a mountain to climb.

The early defensive marking from Borough was questionable and, at times, disjointed, while Woolton continued to enjoy the majority of possession as Borough struggled to establish any real rhythm.

Borough attempted to work their way back into the contest, but Woolton remained comfortable for long periods and went into the interval with their two-goal advantage intact.

At half-time, Brent Peters made a triple change in an attempt to turn the game around. Brady Boardman, Jake Townsend and Toby Wright were replaced, with Ben Langley moving into the right-back position, Aiden Lancaster stepping into midfield and Sheikh Sohna operating down the right.

Josh Walne also moved into the central position vacated by Wright.

The changes appeared to inject much-needed life into Borough. There was noticeably more purpose and tempo to their play, with the home side beginning to put Woolton under greater pressure and look far more threatening in possession.

On 71 minutes, Borough finally got the reward their improved second-half performance deserved.

Good work down the left resulted in the ball being delivered across the Woolton six-yard box, and Sheikh Sohna was perfectly placed at the far post to side-foot the ball home and reduce the deficit.

It was the reaction the Borough faithful had been looking for in a game which had appeared rather flat for long periods.

With the clock ticking down, Peters threw caution to the wind, pushing Paul Sholabi further forward for the final ten minutes to provide an additional aerial presence in the final third.

Borough finished the game strongly and created a greater sense of danger than they had earlier in the afternoon, but despite their late pressure, they were unable to find the equaliser.

Woolton held on to take all three points, leaving Borough to reflect on a game in which a much-improved second-half showing ultimately could not make up for a difficult opening period.

Attention now turns to the Macron Cup, with Borough having a week to prepare for the visit of Thornton Cleveleys in the First Round.