Cheshire League victory for Wirral schoolboys (From Wirral Globe)

Cheshire League victory for Wirral schoolboys

4:08pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Sport

WIRRAL made the journey up the M56 on Friday afternoon to take on their Warrington counterparts in a vital Cheshire League match.

Failure to win and Wirral would not be defending the title for this season, writes Matty Houghton.

Sam Haley however had other ideas, and with his hat trick sealed Wirrals place in the knockout stages for this year.

The game started slowly for the Wirral lads, Warrington looking much sharper and of better purpose.

However, after working out the weaknesses of the opposition the front three of George Harry, Sam Haley and Daniel Allen began to dominate.

In fact Wirral could have gone ahead in only the fifth minute, however Daniel Allen couldn't quite get on the end of a Sam Haley cut back.

After 25 minutes, Wirral were put on the back foot when the Warrington midfielder broke free of the midfield and manged to get a shot on target which seemed to sneak underneath keeper Zak Krimou. 

Expecting to go in at the half behind, Wirral were suddenly awarded a free kick roughly 40 yards out from goal, Sam Haley immediately took ownership and with a simple swing of the boot placed it in the top corner!

Half-time: Warrington Schoolboys 1-1 Wirral Schoolboys

Wirral came out of the traps in the second half with the determination pace and power that was expected of them in the first half and it didn't take them long to take the lead.

A long hopeful ball was pumped forward by the Warrington centre half and with the vision of Sam Haley already making a move, Phil Humphries placed a first time pass through the gap for Sam Haley to run onto and finish like a pro in the bottom corner.

Wirral at this stage were dominating the game in territory and overall possession with Joe Dermody playing the anchor role protecting the back four extremely well.

Sam Haley then completed his hat trick when a diagonal ball was played into him for him to go 1v1 with the keeper and rifle the finish into the top corner.

All round the Wirral lads had got the job done and should be proud of their efforts.

Full-time: Warrington Schoolboys 1-3 Wirral Schoolboys

After the game, Head Coach Will Rowlands said: "It was a sloppy start to the game for us and we focused on increasing the tempo and quality of our play after half time as it was no where near our level.

"The squad was vital today and every player should be proud of their efforts in getting the result.

"Obviously plaudits go to Sam Haley for the hat trick, if he continues to show that level of consistancy then he gives himself every opportunity to progress in his career."