Football is back!
The return after the second lockdown saw Port Sunlight make the journey to Whitegate who had 21 players all raring to go!

This was shown in the opening minutes of the game with the game end to end. It was Whitegate who opened the deadlock in the 8th minute after Chris Hudson fed Lewis Williams who found the top corner from outside the area with a brilliant strike to give the home side the perfect start.

The early goal didn’t affect the run of the game as both sides continued to create chances in a very open first 15 minutes. Port Sunlight grabbed themselves an equaliser after taking advantage of a goalkeeping error. The sides weren’t level for long. Sam Ellwood ended his solo run by being brought down inside the penalty area. Williams stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to grab his second of the game.

On the 20 minute mark, the away side had taken control of the game having the majority of possession forcing Whitegate deeper and deeper into their own half. The possession resulted in multiple chances and this time the chance was taken and we were level again. Straight from Kick off, the ball was won back by the away side and they broke away down the right hand side, the ball was crossed into the middle and it found a free man who put the away side in the lead for the first time in the game.

Whitegate almost hit back instantly through Williams who was put through on goal for his hat-trick but unfortunately his chipped effort bounced the wrong side of the post. Port Sunlight grabbed their fourth of the game 5 minutes before the break to extend their lead. But that wasn’t the end of the goals in the first half as Adam Foy found Craig Nicholson in the area with an exquisite pass and the big man found the bottom corner with his header to pull Whitegate back into the game at the half. 

Just like the first half, the home side got off to a flyer and were unlucky not to of levelled the game in the opening seconds. The disappointment didn’t last long as the sides were level again minutes later. Williams saw his effort blocked but the ball fell nicely to Nicholson who smashed the ball past the keeper to make it 4-4.
 
The game began to settle down after a frantic first half which saw 7 goals. Both defences were on top with few chances created from either side. The winning goal was a goal worthy of winning any game but unfortunately it was for the away side, who saw their effort find the top corner from distance to regain their lead.

Even though Whitegate dominated the possession in the second half they were unable to find an equaliser in the closing stages giving Port Sunlight a 5-4 victory.

A credit to both sides for a highly competitive game and we thank Port Sunlight for travelling over.

Managers thoughts...

I want to credit all 21 lads who turned out today all got game time and it shows a depth in quality throughout our squad. In a very hard game against tough opponents every player was excellent. On a different day we take our chances and we win the game. We made some defensive mistakes leading to goals today which we will work on.  A credit to Port Sunlight for a great game of football!

The spirit within our club is brilliant. Whitegate United is a family club and we need to show our footballing prowess and talent on the field and work together as a team.