Win number seven for reserves

Last updated : 24 November 2010 By Tony Scholes
Curtis Woods - scored his first reserve team goal
The reserve games take us to some weird and wonderful venues and this was another to add to the collection that has included the likes of Buckley Town, Eppleton Colliery Welfare and Cammell Laird in recent years.

We went into the game four points clear at the top, and with this the only game this week we couldn't see our lead reduced no matter what the result.

We started the game with Craig Mawson in goal behind a back four of Curtis Woods, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch and Ed Williams. In front of them were a midfield three of Chris Anderson, Dave Lynch and Alex-Ray Harvey with a front three of Dominic Knowles, who I learned tonight is nicknamed Kevin, Alex MacDonald and Ross Wilson.

Morecambe certainly had a more experienced line up than ours including Jim Bentley at the back who provided a real contender to Sean Gregan as biggest opponent of the season. Bentley's know how proved vital for the home side.

It was a scrappy start to the game but that was no surprise on a difficult playing surface that we were struggling to get to grips with. But get to grips we did, and although this was not as flowing a performance as some previously in the season there was still plenty to be pleased about, particularly the continued form of Anderson and Harvey in the midfield area.

They link together so well but on this night it was Anderson who took the headlines by setting up both goals and coming very close to collecting a hat trick of assists.

By midway through the first half we had certainly ensured we were the side in the ascendancy but it wasn't until the 38th minute that we went in front. Anderson played in MacDonald, and the newly capped Scottish Under-21 international, saw his shot on the turn get a deflection before going in.

It was 1-0 at half time but the same pair will wonder how it wasn't 2-0 just a few minutes into the second half. Again Anderson played the ball to MacDonald who chipped the ball over the keeper. We all waited for it to go in and then, just ahead of the start of the Ashes, it must have hit a divot and turned better than any Shane Warne leg break and incredibly went wide.

MacDonald looked astonished as did the rest of us but it was still 1-0 and despite dominating long periods of the second half it remained that way until seven minutes from time. MacDonald, Knowles, Anderson, Wilson and Harvey all came close but that second goal had eluded us.

Then, it was Anderson again who this time played the ball inside the full back for our right back Woods to run on to. As we all waited for a cross, Woods' shot flew into the far corner. Cross? Shot? It doesn't matter really. What is certain is that Curtis, who is one of the most enthusiastic footballers I've ever seen, really enjoyed the moment of his first reserve goal.

That was surely game over and it almost was with our next attack as Knowles got on the end of a Harvey cross only to see his goal bound effort blocked on the line.

And so to stoppage time and over to the fan sat to my left. "Craig Mawson is going to get his first clean sheet," he said. Morecambe promptly pulled one back through substitute Callum Moore in the second of the three added minutes. They'd hardly threatened a goal all night but it counted for nothing with the final whistle blowing soon after the restart.

It's another good result for Ash Hoskin's team who now have 22 points from 8 games and will be looking forward to playing their next two games on the superb Turf Moor pitch. The first of those games is next Tuesday when we entertain Bury, and the way this team is playing the word entertain is just about right.

The teams tonight were;

Morecambe: Laurie Walker, Joe Culshaw, Josh Draycott (Callum Moore 84), Niall Cowperthwaite, Jim Bentley, Gavin Clark, Adam Rundle, Joe McGee (Tom Axon-Smith 60), Dan Parkinson, Stuart Hendrie, Jow Mwasilie (Adam Eden 60). Subs not used: Mathew Calvert.

Burnley: Craig Mawson, Curtis Woods, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Ed Williams, Chris Anderson, Dave Lynch (Tommy Taylor 81), Alex-Ray Harvey, Dominic Knowles, Alex MacDonald, Ross Wilson (Joe Jackson 81). Subs not used: Josh Cook, Neil Yadolahi, Steve Edwards, Mehdi Lazaar.