Hooley Thirds Struggle In Face Of First-Half Gale

Feb 192012

Playing into a first-half, howling gale didn’t do any favours to Hooley Bridge Celtic thirds at home to Irlam Steel in the cup on Saturday.

Hooley had won a previous cup clash against their Manchester visitors, but the game was ruled null and void because of problems with the number of subs named by Hooley.

However, it was a complete case of roles reversal as Irlam inflicted a 5-1 battering on Hooley at Heywood Leisure Centre.

Keeper Mikey Grogan found he could barely clear the ball past half-way such was the force of the wind and Irlam exploited their pace down the flanks to make life difficult out wide.

Jon Lumb and Anthony Nicholls coped well in the centre of defence but the flanks were where the better ground was and Irlam were strong here.

They went in 2-0 down and although Hooley were looking to get back in the game, their first-half exertions took their toll and they only had a Gareth Maher goal to show for their efforts.

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