Bacup Borough travelled to Holker Old Boys looking to stop this torrid vein of form they're currently experiencing. And with the home side sitting near the top of the NWCFL Division One North it was always going to be a tough ask.
Borough were still without key figures amongst the squad and the manager Brent Peters went with Toby Azhar and Michael Gervin through the middle, with Alex Mellor out on the right and Kyle Siddle down the left.
Kicking down the slope in the first half the home side as per usual through Tom Dawson made it extremely difficult for the Borough backline. Constant balls over the top and into the channels were causing Borough all kinds of problems. And with the defensive unit of Malachi Clarke and Brady Boardman playing such an high line it meant that Dawson along with the experienced Jamie Hodgson could penetrate deep inside the final third.
In quick succession the Cumbrian side made it 2-0 within the opening fifteen minutes. And if it wasn't for several bad misses and good goalkeeping from new signing Billy Blake, Borough could've been going in at the break four or five down.
Changes were made by Peter' in the second half, and it was great to see the return of Mason Fallon operating down the left with Borough instantly starting to have more joy and create more opportunities.
Ellis Horan was back amongst the pack after sustaining a horrible injury against Nelson a few weeks ago. And it was Horan asking the majority of the questions with driving runs deep inside the Holker half.
The home side made it 3-0 from a corner which somehow managed to squeeze in at the near post, giving Blake no chance whatsoever as the ball came through several of Borough's players.
Borough continued to show character in the second half as they attempted to achieve something from the game. And on 66 minutes Horan managed to hit one back for Borough with a well struck shot going hard and low beyond Matthew Bailey in the Holker goal.
More changes were made with Oliver Hodgson and Jack Hayward gaining valuable minutes and creating chances down both wings.
At the final whistle it was yet more disappointment for Brent Peters team. All the problems were caused in that first half display with players not picking up and failing to manage the game correctly through a lack of discipline and footballing intelligence.
The positive signs were in the second period when changes were made and the Borough players got to grips with their opponents game plan.
We know that Borough have players with excellent qualities, but the long list of injuries has battered and bruised the group, and the fact that they've played a few of the current top six teams over the past few weeks hasn't made it any easier.
One piece of positive news from Saturday's outing to Barrow was seeing Joey Fallon get put through his paces with the team physio, Miguel. He was moving fluently and was able to stroke the ball around with ease. By all accounts the management are hoping for an imminent return which will definitely bolster Borough's defensive department.
A busy week is in store for the squad with a team bonding night taking place Tuesday evening with several first team players expected to be in U23 action on Thursday evening against the Jesse Lingard Academy.
And with Garstang FC the visitors to the Brian Boys Stadium this coming weekend. Brent Peters will certainly be wanting to put this current voodoo to bed.
The Rewind Show | Sunday Supplement #171 | Sunday 1st September 2024
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