LR beaten but attentions turn to play-off semi

The final game of the regular season was one to forget for Atherton LR as they lost 2-0 at Bacup Borough.

Coming up to a busy play-off weekend, manager Dave Jones noted how a squad rotation was necessary for the last few league games which despite the result would have no effect on LR’s final league position in NWCFL First Division North.

The game was influenced early by Bacup as their high press created mistakes at the back.

And in the ninth minute, a foul in the box gave Bacup a penalty which was converted by Kyle Siddle.

This setback was not a head’s down moment for LR as some fantastic runs by Abiola Obosato and Benni Wilkinson feeding Luke Nicholls, who was just unable to convert in the final third.

A relentless Bacup attacking period finished the first half off as LR went into the break a goal down with some work to be done.

The second half showed glimpses of the usual spark from LR, with Dan Lenehan driving the ball to the goalmouth.

But the visitors were again unable to convert their chances, though young LR player, Harvey Brookes, had a notable performance with his presence over the pitch.

It was within reach for LR but late on Lewis Bryne found an opportunity to fire a long-ranged shot that snuck into the bottom right corner to seal the game for Bacup.

The final whistle blew to end a disappointing night for LR, however a very rotated squad allowed valuable experience to be given to some young players while the rest prepared for Saturday’s play-off semi-final.

Jones was not disheartened by the performance and said: “I thought it was a really good game, plenty of changes were made, trying to keep the lads fresh.

“We created some really good chances but just couldn’t quite get on the end of them.”

He also noted his disappointment in the arrangement of the schedule adding: “The game should never, ever have been played in the week of a play-off semi-final.”

The LR boss revealed some players who had not been named had picked up knocks which may see them miss out on Saturday, adding further to the frustration of what he says “could have been done so much better by people in control of things who have failed to control.”

LR host Cheshire side South Liverpool in the play-off semi-final on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting tie.