Third win in a row for Lairds (From Wirral Globe)

Third win in a row for Lairds

2:37pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

Cammell Laird...........1  AFC Goole.................0

TONY Sullivan's Cammell Laird continue to turn heads in the Northern Premier League Division One when they recorded a third consecutive victory, writes Phillip Wilkinson.

After being dismantled by league leaders Skelmersdale United just 11 days ago, Sullivan’s men picked themselves up and recorded back-to-back to victories at home to Ossett Town and on the road at Mossley before the visit of AFC Goole to Kirklands.

Looking at the table it would be easy to say this was a nailed-on home win, but the recently rejuvenated Vikings have enjoyed a mini-revival that has seen them lose just one of their last four.

Under new manager Wayne Benn they began brightly, and could have gone ahead in the opening minutes after some good work from midfielder Chris Overington.

With some of the Laird’s defence maybe still in the dressing room, Overington and Goole skipper Law combined, but some sharp work from Steven Ferrigan prevented the forward from placing the ball in the empty net; the striker’s shot was blocked and rolled kindly in to the grateful and relieved hands of Kevin Atherton.

With the departure of both Aaron Bowen and Joe Evans, Lairds looked a little devoid of ideas in the first-half and the closest the home side came to breaking the deadlock was shots from distance including a free kick well struck by Freddy Potter but not troubling Hay in the Goole goal.

The second-half was much the same as the first and the best of the chances were carved out by the visitors.

Goole appeared to have their tails up and looked certain to take at least one point at Kirklands in what would have been the first goalless game of the season there.

However with only three minutes to play, Laird’s introduced substitute Ellis Healing for his debut and his first task in a Cammell Laird shirt was to rush down the pitch to congratulate Craig Cairns who had just won the game for the home side.

The ball broke in the Laird’s half on the left and the tenacious Craig Cairns hustled and harried on the edge of the penalty area.

Cairns collided with the Goole 'keeper and the ball ran loose towards the empty net - in a race between Cairns and the Vikings’ defence there was only to be one winner – he slotted the ball in to the empty net to break Goole hearts and help the Cammell's push for that elusive play-off spot.

Following the game, match-winner Cairns said: "I'm delighted. It's great to score goals but winning is more important, and winning so late makes it bit more special.

"Goole were a tough side and they worked very hard but it’s another three points for our team."