Handforth 3 vs 3 Mary Dendy

Handforth          3                    Mary Dendy                 3

14’ Stephen Dootsen                       10’ Nick Brunker

22’, 39’ Sean O’Mara    2                 45’ Martin Brunker

                                                              59’ Matty Morris

H-T     3-2

M.O.M    Sean O’Mara  ( Handforth)

Ref: Nick Jennison

An entertaining game at Jim Evison Fields saw Handforth and Mary Dendy take a point a piece but it was the visitors who appeared much the happier at the final whistle. Handforth played some lovely passing football but fell behind on ten minutes to a well rehearsed Dendy set piece as Martin Brunker swung in a corner and brother Nick, up from centre half rose unchallenged to head home.

Simon Lee dives in to tackle Sean O'Mara

Handforth were level though four minutes later though , Stephen Dootsen finishing off a swift counter attack by side footing the ball home from 12 yards after   a pinpoint cross from Sean O’Mara  . Handforth  began to dominate with man of the match O’Mara seemingly involved in everything. He scored Handforth’s second from the edge of the penalty area midway through the half  and it was his corner  that somehow crept in at the near post to make it 3-1 six minutes before half time.  A fourth goal would have perhaps sealed  the victory and ended Dendy’s resistance  but Handforth inexplicably let them off the hook  as they conceded  right on half time . Martin Brunker’s floated  free kick from  the edge of the box took a deflection that left goalkeeper Dan Child rooted to the spot as the ball crossed the line .

Handforth continued to press in the second half  with Dan Cook , Sean O’Mara and Stuart Maylet looking dangerous but Dendy held firm thanks to some tenacious tackling back  from midfielder Simon Lee and some resolute defending from Nick Brunker and James Monaghan . Their tactic of  breaking  up possession and playing on the break eventually paid off – Matt Morris firing home the equaliser on 58 minutes.