Winnington Park's men cannot overturn three-goal deficit in home defeat against West Derby

WINNINGTON Park were unable to overturn a three-goal half-time deficit in a defeat to West Derby on Saturday in North Men’s League Division Two West.

Without the solidity offered by Adam Kueres at the back, the Northwich outfit appeared vulnerable to their guests’ direct style of play.

Despite creating several chances during the early exchanges, they fell behind.

Park continued to dominate possession, creating a number of clear opportunities, but the normally-dependable Pete Evans missed two of the most presentable. 

It proved costly, for the visitors scored twice more on the counter-attack after punishing mistakes by the hosts’ defence. 

It left them 3-0 down by the break, with a mountain to climb.

But a number of tactical changes stabilised Park’s defence, and they set about getting back into the game early in the second period thanks to a well-taken goal from Jack Smith. 

They piled on the pressure afterwards, but were rocked when West Derby made it 4-1 from a penalty corner. 

The home side then went for broke, pulling a goal back through Paul Stackhouse.

Another followed for Sam Turley to reduce the deficit further, but Park ran out of time to conjure a leveller.

Now eighth in the table, they travel to relegation-threatened Bebbington this weekend.