Match Report: Thornton-Cleveleys vs Maghull FC

Thornton-Cleveleys earned themselves a point thanks to Luke Noble’s first minute chip in a 1-1 drama filled draw against Maghull, and a debut for defender, Reuben Hernan.

The Reds were nothing but eager straight from kick-off, they clearly wanted to make a good impression this Non-League Day. A touch of brilliance from Archie Lang over the top towards Luke Noble was enough to catch the Maghull defence off guard. Noble took on his cheeky chip as the keeper rushed towards him into No man’s land, and there could only be one outcome. What a start at gamble Road.

That wasn’t enough for the striker though, Noble, who was clearly up for this game was called offside for another scoring opportunity straight after firing home the first of the game.

Matthew Wood made himself known at the over end of the pitch soon after, the dominant presence acrobatically attempted to clear the ball out of his own box but it ended up dropping below him to hit the woodwork, luckily the ball went out for a corner.

As the corner was cleared, Ben Duffield had a chance of his own. Great skill from Noble created an opening for his strike partner, but in the end the keeper matched his effort.

Maghull had a good chance from a dangerous free-kick to equal the scoring, but the red filled box stood strong and kept the visitors out. During this flurry of attacks from Maghull, Wood put his body on the line to keep the Blues at bay.

Captain, Oliver Wilkinson introduced himself to the game by releasing Daniel Stoney on the left flank, the winger put in a dangerous cross towards the keeper’s near post, but this time he was alert to hold on to the ball.

Wilkinson provided more of his expertise once the ball was launched up to him for a counter attack, as he slotted Noble through for another chance on goal, the ball just got away from the striker and goalkeeper won that battle.

Stoney showed his talent by bolting past his full back and skimmed a low and early cross to Jordan Beavers, but the winger couldn’t finish the chance.

Maghull then received their best chance of the game thus far, as some good play from the traveling team was cut back to their striker in the face of goal, it took a strong palm from Mark Smith to keep the Blues out. Smith was relieved once the follow up shot hit the cross bar and the play fizzled out.

As the second period opened, Maghull came out firing with their goal of the game. In the 48th minute, Smith came to meet their striker but fell short of keeping the ball out and the Blues equalised with the hosts.

Harry Roe, Noble and Wilkinson all had to be withdrawn due to injury, leaving the home side to reshape and try and retain their lead.

Archie Lang was the star of the second half, starting with his dance through the midfield to beat three defenders but before he could release Billy Cartmel the ball was nicked off him.

More from Lang, as he was brought down outside the box with a dangerous challenge and the Maghull player earned himself a yellow card.

It was a quiet 20 minutes with Thornton-Cleveleys soaking up pressure to try and keep their place in the game. Maghull had a couple of good chances but luckily their opportunities just travelled wide.

Drama began in the 88th period as Lang busted into the box, but as he released his shot the defender brought him down. Nothing but screams in the crowd and the touchlines. As the referee blew, everyone in the stadium thought a penalty was given… Lang was booked for simulation and no one could believe it.

Fuelled with determination, Lang produced another scoring chance but the ball was inches wide of the post in the last minute of the match.

With seconds left, Beavers was given the ball in the box from more creativity from Lang but in the end the chance was squandered.

Thornton-Cleveleys ended the game unbeaten in two and manage to increase the gap even further between them and the drop zone.

It was a man of the match performance from Ben Duffield, connecting the play together from the midfield to the front line and he showed how much of a complete striker he is.

“I thought we were the better side creating chances, me and Nobby (Luke Noble) play off each other really well and we identified their weak link in the back, so we knew where to target them and it worked well,” said Duffield, who was proud of his team today.

He added: “In the second half it was all about character as a team.

“You get injuries, it’s part of the game and even though today it happened to important players, the guys from reserves stepped up and performed well.

“Maybe six to ten games ago we'd have lost that game, but the character is there.

“With experience on the pitch we've got to manage these matches and get points out of games like that.

“Not every game is going to be easy and Maghull are a very good team, they probably shouldn't be where they are, but I think we did well as a team, we showed character and we’ve just got to keep building on it.

“We can't be scared of anyone in this in this league.”

After the injuries occurred, Thornton-Cleveleys had to change their system and their approach towards the second half, Duffield explained how the team handled the transition.

He said: “You realise what you can and can’t do in the game with the personnel on the pitch so you’ve just got to manage it.

“Everyone played their part, and in the second half we tried to get the pace going up front with Jordan, Archie and Billy to try and break them down when we had the chance to.

“The boys managed the game really well and we definitely had chances to get another goal.”

The Reds are now 10 points away from relegation and building momentum game by game, Duffield expressed the importance of taking each match as it comes.

He said: “We're not even thinking about it, we don't talk about it.

“You've got to win the next game and that’s something we’ve been repeating all season and now that its stuck, as a team, we are feeling more confident.

“We will concentrate on staying up and then go on to next season.

“For a lot of these lads it's their first season at this new level. It’s a step up for sure, but luckily a lot of them have found their feet.

“We will keep going right until the end.”

Thornton-Cleveleys will next travel to Skelmersdale for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 29th March.