Following the first away trip of the year to Port Sunlight last weekend, the two sides played the reverse fixture this afternoon.

 

Unlike last week Whitegate dominated the opening periods of the game with the away side struggling to get a touch. The hosts took the lead through Danny Vickers. A sublime cross from Jack Lanceley picked out the striker at the back post who headed home.

 

The lead didn’t last long. On their first attack a lofted ball over the top saw the winger one on one with the goalkeeper, he kept his calm to level the game.

A frantic five minutes followed as the away side took control forcing multiple saves from Boulter-Ashcroft in the Whitegate goal. Even Whitegate’s Oli Emmerson tried to lend a hand to the away side with a misplaced header but the keeper came to his rescue.

 

After weathering the storm the side in black and white created opportunities themselves. Lanceley forced the goalkeeper into a sharp save down to his left before Jack Johnson came close with a volley. The sides went into half time level at 1-1.

 

Port Sunlight controlled the first 20 minutes of the second half putting Whitegate under continuous pressure! But a well disciplined performance in defence limited any clear goal scoring opportunities. The away side finally took advantage of all their possession on the 70 minute mark as the winger found space in the box and cut them ball back to find his teammate at the far posts who gave Port Sunlight a 2-1 lead.

 

With 20 minutes left on the clock Whitegate dug deep to try and get themselves back into the game. But as they pushed forward Port Sunlight caught them on the counter attack, but a big save from Boulter-Ashcroft kept the deficit to one tipping the effort onto the post.

 

Entering the final minutes the game was still in the balance. Vickers went close for the hosts before Port Sunlight’s striker found himself one on one with the keeper but Boulter-Ashcroft was equal to it, to denying the striker inside the final minute. But that wasn’t it! The ball found Kev Beresford who started the final attack, Joe Corbin fed Sam Eves on the edge of the box but his right footed effort was well saved with the ball going out for a corner.

 

Up went everyone for the final kick of the game! Johnson with the corner, the ball ricocheted in between a number of bodies and fell to Johnathan Bownes on the edge of the box. As the crowd took an intake of breath in anticipation the ball came off his shin and out for a goal kick. That goal graphic will have to wait for another week!

 

A strong performance from Whitegate against a very good side. Lots of positives to take away from the performance. Onto Cuddington at home next week.