Match Report | Les Taylor

A moments lapse in concentration deep into injury time allowed two precious points to slip away from Garstang FC at Stoneclough. It looked like Garstang had ground out a good result away from home until the 92nd minute when the defenders stood still and watched as Stoneclough substitute Harrison slotted the ball home to level the scores at 2-2.

Garstang made a bright start on a very dull day. Manager Somerside had rung the changes, with Kilifin, Ireland and Cox on the bench, Taylor Snr., Butler and McEvoy returning, and Fawcett moving into midfield.

Williams was causing the home defence problems from the start, but the first real chance fell to Stoneclough. Lucas caught Baker in possession but his shot was deflected wide. Garstang did however get their noses in front in the 14th minute. Baldwin was the quickest to react in the box, poking home a Taylor free-kick. It was end to end at this stage Baldwin again prominent hitting the bar from close range before Stoneclough equalised in the 20th minute.The pacey Truffins, who was proving a handfull for Taylor, slipped his marker before providing a near post cross for Campbell to convert. Then, home keeper Tebay scrambled away a point blank header from Geoff Wilson.

The game was in danger of boiling over just before the break. Campbell was booked for a late challange on the impressive Baker before the Referee appeared to order the home manager from the dugout following a further altercation.

Garstang began the second half as brightly as they had started the first. An intellegent exchange of passes between Wilson, Fawcett and Baldwin on the break resulted in the latter hitting the bar for a second time. Then the visitors scored a great second goal on 57 minutes. Fawcett resisted a challenge in midfield feeding Baldwin on the left, the midfielder continued his run into the box and Baldwin picked him out as he attacked the near post 1 -2.

But it was by no means all Garstang with Borg was bossing the midfield and Truffins a constant threat on the left, and indeed, it was another good run by the winger that provided Campbell with another chance. Stoneclough replaced Makinson with Harrison and Garstang responded by replacing the overworked Taylor with Kilifin and Richard Wilson with Cox. The pressure on the visitors was building. Somerside brought on another fresh pair of legs replacing Butler with Ireland and it nearly worked. Ireland having a free-kick tipped on to the bar in the 82nd minute.

With the minutes ticking away Baldwin had a chance to put the game beyond Stoneclough's reach when, with only the keeper to beat, his shot went straight at him. Finally, before the all important Stoneclough injury time equaliser, Campbell hit the post when it looked easier to score.

Both Managers could have some justification in thinking that their team should have won it but, the fact is, neither side deserved to lose.

Garstang: Brindle, Taylor Snr., Baker, McEvoy, R. Butler, R. Wilson, Cropper, Fawcett, Williams, M. Baldwin, G. Wilson
Subtitutes: Kilifin (Taylor), Ireland (Butler), Cox (R Wilson), Marshall, Porter

Stoneclough: Tebay, Darby, Makinson, Hill, Newton, Dean, Vandenberg, Borg, Campbell, Lucas, Truffins.
Substitutes: Harrison, Rainford, Heenan