Wilcox leads a revival

Longridge ladies 1sts fought back from 3-0 down to claim a sensational 3-3 draw with Sefton 2nds.
Nicki WilcoxNicki Wilcox
Nicki Wilcox

With four regular first-team players missing it was time for the players from the second string to step up and stake their claims.

However, the first half was not going as captain Nicki Wilcox had planned, as Sefton slotted three early goals past the Longridge keeper.

Longridge did pull a goal back before half-time.

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A great through ball from Phil Crompton to Jess Morris up front saw the latter’s shot saved, but Morris turned home the rebound.

An early push after the break saw Longridge reduce the deficit further still.

Wilcox played a lovely ball through to Morris who beat her defender and, with the keeper to beat, unselfishly teed-up Wilcox, who smashed the ball home.

For the first time in the game, Longridge started believed they might actually get something out of the game.

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However, Sefton were not in a mood to make it easy for Longridge and launched attack after attack.

But the superb defence of Lucy Blezard, Charlotte McNeela and Suzanne Garth kept them at bay.

Sefton won three penalty corners in a row and eventually thought they had scored from one.

However, the umpires deemed the goal would not stand due to it being too high and dangerous.

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Boosted by this reprieve, a quick release from Charlotte McNeela to Wilcox, caught the Sefton defence sleeping and she beat their high line and slotted home to complete the comeback.

Sensing victory, Longridge pushed for the win but the gamble looked like it would cost them when Sefton hit them on the counter.

In a dramatic end to the game, Sefton looked like they had got the winner only for it to be disallowed as the final whistle was sounded.

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