TRIMPELL/SLYNE kicked off the season with a good away win at last season strugglers Hesketh Bank. It was just the fixture new management team Ian Roe and Michael Knowles were hoping for. With eight new signings making their debut it was always going to be a tricky start no matter what the opposition.

Trimpell/Slyne set about the game with some neat passing and fluent movement. The front two of Scott Doherty and Dan Broadly played extremely well opening up the defence within the first 10 minutes when a clear chance fell to Doherty in front of goal – he shot straight at the keeper who held on to it.

Another chance came minutes later after good work from the midfield pairing of Pickles and Hillier opened up the defence, again, a chance went missing.

But as Trimpell/Slyne pressed good work on the right, Hill found Doherty on the end of his cross and neatly headed the ball home.

One up was the confidence booster that Trimpell/Slyne needed. Hesketh Bank were struggling to contain the pressure and the second goal came when a long through pass from Sanderson was chased by Doherty.

The keeper came to clear but misjudged and as it rolled under his foot a grateful Doherty placed it home.

Hesketh Bank rallied and forced a dubious free-kick. As the ball was lofted into the box the Trimpell/Slyne defence was caught napping, lack of communication led to a poor clearing header going to a Hesketh striker who gave Storey in goal no chance as he drove it low into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

The second half found Trimpell/Slyne against a slight wind and a determined Hesketh side. They pushed Trimpell/Slyne hard but the defence, marshalled by new skipper Gary Elderton, held fast and broke up any danger very early.

Manager Ian Roe decided to stiffen up the midfield and put some fresh legs on. He brought off Hillier and Hastings who were replaced by Wright and Caldwell.

This helped and soon after Dan Broadley latched onto a through ball from Morrow just over the half-way line. He pushed it past two defenders and left them struggling to keep up with him.

He then rounded the keeper and finished neatly and confidently placing the ball into the open Hesketh goal.

Tom Shaw replaced J Hill and had a good chance saved by the keeper.
Hesketh Bank pushed hard and Peter Storey made two excellent stops to deny their strikers.

As the whistle blew for full-time, the relief on Ian Roe's face was apparent, just glad to get a first win under his belt.

Trimpell/Slyne play hosts to Crooklands Casuals on Saturday, August 23, the first home fixture, kick-off at 3pm.

TRIMPELL/SLYNE: P Storey, M Gallagher, G Elderton (capt), C Morrow, A Sanderson, J Hill, C Pickles, G Hillier, J Hastings, S Doherty, D Broadley, T Shaw, G Wright, A Caldwell.