Town halt their losing run (From Craven Herald)

Town halt their losing run

12:37pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport By Pete Naylor

Stockport Sports 1 Barnoldwick Town 4

Town brought their run of three-straight defeats to an end with a comfortable North West Counties League Premier Division win on Stockport’s artificial pitch.

They started the match with Andy Lee and Oliver Devenney making their full debuts, while a third new signing Martin Broderick was on the bench.

With Jack Overson absent Kevin Richardson came in at centre half.

Stockport started brightly and in the ninth minute they nearly took the lead.

Nic Niagorian just beat Billy Priestley to Liam Irwin’s low free kick and his shot hit an upright and bounced back across the face of Billy Carrington’s goal before being cleared.

Stockport had a lot of possession but created very few goal-scoring chances.

The nearest they came to scoring was when Irwin shot just wide after 23 minutes.

At the other end Aaron Hollindrake thought he had beaten the offside trap to go clear on goal.

His shot at an open goal was cleared over the bar by the arm of a defender, but rather than award a penalty the officials ruled the striker offside.

The second half started with Stockport on the attack again. Irwin and Niagorian combined well before the latter shot just over Carrington’s crossbar.

The Stockport defence played with a high back line and this was exploited after 53 minutes.

A ball over the top saw Hollindrake run clear and shoot over the advancing keeper Omar Bodran from the edge of the area.

Town made their first substitution after 65 minutes with Broderick replacing Oliver Devenney.

Two minutes later and Town doubled their lead.

Danny Boyle, who was out- standing, put Mark Threlfall through with a great ball. He had no trouble in beating Bodran to score.

However Stockport hauled themselves back into the match three minutes later when Jay Mehmet netted.

With play opening up as Stockport pushed for the equaliser, Town forced a corner.

Liam Blades took it finding Lewis Jordan, but his goal-bound shot hit Hollindrake and bounced to safety.

Town went 3-1 up after 81 minutes with arguably the best move of the match.

Hollindrake picked up possession on the left side of the Stockport goal just inside their half.

He advanced a few yards before picking out Threlfall with a brilliant cross field pass.

The striker cleverly found Lee who got behind the defence before crossing to Threlfall who netted with a fierce shot which cannoned off the shoulder of Sam Menion into the net.

Hollindrake gave way to Ashley Alderson after 82 minutes.

With four minutes left Boyle was brought down on the edge of the Stockport penalty area.

Broderick stepped up to take the kick and his venemous shot swerved as it dipped and flew past Bodran who was rooted to the spot.

Boyle then went off to rapturous applause from the Town supporters for his excellent performance.

Town will be looking to build on the win when they host Run