Opening day defeat for new look Mersey Valley

Cheshire League new boys Clay Brow opened their debut season with a 4-1 victory over Mersey Valley on Saturday in Skelmersdale.

New boss Jon Hudson handed first team debuts to 10 players and the away side made a confident start on a difficult 3G surface.

But it was the home side that struck with their first real chance, a free kick was headed back across the box and headed home from close range.

Ben Topping then had a great chance to equalise but tried a lob and the ball missed target.

The home side then doubled their lead after a quick break, the winger looked to be in an offside position, but the referee didn’t agree, and the lead was doubled.

Another blow soon followed as defender Owen Adams had to be replaced after picking up a groin injury. A huge moment in the 37th minute, Topping put clean through and should have pulled a goal back but couldn’t get his feet right and missed the chance.

With Mersey Valley on top, they looked the more likely to score but a hammer blow just before half-time, from a MVFC corner the home side broke quickly and an easy finish past the frustrated Rigby.

HT: Clay Brow 3 Mersey Valley 0

The visitors started the second half well but Clay Brow looked in control of the game. Rob Watson replaced Ben Topping as Valley looked for a way back into the game.

It arrived on the hour, a Tinsley corner was headed towards goal by captain Jack Taylor and was brilliantly saved by the Clay Brow midfielder Adam Weston, the referee awarded the penalty and showed the player a red card.

Riley took the spot kick but fired high over the bar to let the home side off the hook.

Woolley replaced Francisco and the chances kept coming. Riley, Watson, Woolley and Chattington all missing really good opportunities. Poor defending then gifted Clay Brow a fourth goal and the game was gone.

Mike Woolley grabbed an injury-time goal and Clay Brow were reduced to 9-men after a clear professional foul on Tinsley.

FT: Clay Brow 4 Mersey Valley 1

FROM THE GAFFER…

A disappointing start, didn’t feel like a 4-1 game and certainly the comments from Clay Brow after the game backed that up. It will be a huge wake-up call for the lads and we have the perfect opportunity to put it right on Tuesday night when we travel to Lymm.

We’ll continue to work hard and my belief in this group hasn’t changed at all. It was only our 4th game together so we know we still need time to click in certain areas. The positives are there, we created 7/8 really good chances in the game so we just get up and go again.