LX CLUB - Bowdon Weekend

3rd & 4th July 2010

Principle fixtures of the weekend partaken by the LX reds scheduled to go to Cape Town with the following playing squad being the second LX team for the weekend:

Ric Skippings(guest), Alan Jackson, David Blackmore, Andy Holden, Colin Pearce, Adrian Money, Peter Wilson, Gerald Wilkinson, BillWarrender, Sudesh Nayar, Brian Woolcott, John Land, Alex Gaydon(guest).

North West Select  0  v  LX 1

A clash of  dates with an England fixture robbed the weekend of some of LX stars which vacancies were quickly filled by local northeners.   What a change, in my experience, from the usual LX squads  -    we had more forwards than defenders.   I In lovely afternoon sunshine,we decided to leave the defence in tact for the whole of the match and to ring all the changes with the seven forwards.    Getting off to a lively start LX were able to take the game to the opposition but were unable to make any real progress into the circle against a well organised defence.    NW select in response were equally keen to turn their defensive control into attack and although they passed their way cleverly through the midfield their final through passes were too long or were cut out comfortably  by Alan Jackson and David Blackmore, LX's last line of defence.    Defences continued to keep both attacks at bay with little work getting through to the keepers.   Short corners were scarce and David Blackmore kept the scores level when he cleared off the line behind Richard Skippings, enabling the half time score to remain goalless.

The second half started in much the same pattern as the first, before LX began gaining confidence from the settled defence and Andy Holden, Colin Pearce and Adrian Money were able to provide more service to the forwards from the  midfield.   All seven forwards regularly changed and all were able to cope with the new positions they adopted with each change.    Several good runs by Peter Wilson and Gerald Wilkinson kept the NW defence on thier toes and a smart chance (NW defence did not allow many) on the far post eluded Brian Woolcott.   At the other end LX defence hard to stay alert to prevent the swift attacks from the NW select, before a single goal settled the issue.   When the straight strike at a previous short corner failed to trouble the NW keeper, LX changed the routine  --  stopped, switched across the head of the D, Gerald Wilkinson's shot was deflected to waist height by a NW defender but this did not stop Alex Gaydon turning it into the net to give LX a hard won victory.

The evening was rounded off with the usual splendid dinner and conviviality in Bowdon's clubhouse where all sides of the day were able to express  thanks to Bowdon club, the umpires and the caterers.

Old Wulfrunians  4  v.  LX  3

LX took to the field full of confidence after their workmanlike win over the North West Select at Bowdon the previous afternoon and were soon taking the game to their opponents. Sudesh Nayar, Colin Pearce and Adrian Money retained the ball well and were providing a good supply of ball to the front runners, with Peter Wilson, Brian Woolcott and Bill Warrender finding space on both wings. In these early stages, Old Wulfs’ were finding it difficult to make headway and they were soon a goal down when Colin Pearce got in a firm strike from a short corner. Intent on getting back into the game, Old Wulfs were beginning to create opportunities, particularly down the right and David Blackmore, Alan Jackson and Andy Holden were seeing more and more of the opposition attack. With pressure building, Old Wulfs’ were soon back on level terms when LX failed to clear and the ball was turned in past Richard Skippings in goal. Settling back into the earlier pattern of play, LX were able to restore the single goal advantage, when Gerald Wilkinson got in a shot from the edge of the circle after another short corner.

With Old Wulfs’ relying on Deeside Ramblers to make up their numbers, LX found themselves facing a new threat as an elderly defender was replaced with a more youthful forward providing a much more potent attack! Within five minutes, LX were suddenly 4-2 down as Old Wulfs’ took advantage and rattled in 3 quick goals without reply. Regrouping to face the new threat, LX were able to reduce the deficit when a break down the right provided a ball into the circle that John Land was able to steer home. LX were now back into the match and with time running out were desperate to get back on terms but a number of promising breaks were contained and LX had to be content with losing by just the single goal. 

Like Bowdon, Deeside Ramblers provided their much appreciated post match hospitality of a relaxed BBQ where again all sides were able to say many thanks to Deeside Ramblers (particularly to Colin and Margaret Pearce for the salads and puds that go with the BBQ) and the umpires.