RESSIES LOSE ON THE ROAD

It was long journey time for the reserves last week and Billinge only arrived at Whaley Bridge five minutes before kick-off.
However the lads were unfazed by the lack of preparation, no moaning and great attitudes shown by all staff and players against a top side.
Young Morgan in goal showed no signs of nerves on his debut pulled off what was described by home and away supporters alike as world class.
Jordan Farrell, the returning Adam Clare brilliantly aided by captain Joe Unsworth meant we soon started to take control of the game.
Then in the 17th minute Ant Farrell had to come off with a suspected knee ligament injury with replacement Rob Bland going straight in at full-back and proving a very capable deputy.
Geoff Parr who has made the Billinge centre-half’s shirt his own since coming out of rehab in Happy Valley - after a number of afflictions that have marred his football career – was his normal excellent self.
But as good as Parr was Ant Higgins at left back was immense running their right side ragged at every opportunity ably assisted by Tom Ashall who was showing some brilliant ball control and long-range passing ability finding the marauding Rob Ablewhite and Dan Hauge who is going to be a massive player for Billinge FC.
However on the half-hour mark disaster struck when against the run of play the Bridge centre forward rose high to head home and put them ahead.
Billinge didn’t lie down.
Higgins went on a 70-yard run down the left to be upended in the box but to everyone’s disbelieve the referee gave a direct frre kick outside the box.
“Cheat” could be heard ringing out around the ground as the ref bottled it and went in favour of the home side.
Ablewhite and Ashall lined up the free kick and Rob hit a cracker hit a cracker but it went just wide meaning we went in one-down at half-time
The second period started with a change of personnel by Billinge as Clare - who had run himself into the ground - was given a rest to be replaced by the loose cannon Terry ‘The Entertainer’ Jepson who again showed his commitment to the cause by travelling 70 miles to turn out for his beloved club Billinge if you want commitment as well as talent this kid has it in abundance.
He was straight into the game picking up a great through ball from Jordan Farrell to scuff his shot.
With The Storks pressing hard disaster struck a long ball caught them out and it was 2-0 against the run of play.
Squash played his last card in an attacking sense taking off the tiring Hague to re-introduce pocket dynamo Clare; who again ran his socks of as well as combining with the attack.
Sadly Billing couldn’t claw back the two-goal deficit and conceded another late-on meaning the game finished 3-0 to the home side.
Speaking at the post-match news conference manager Squash said: “Not very often you come off the pitch delighted with your players after a 3-0 defeat but we only take positives out of today’s performance.
“The lads are so together it is unreal.
They help our walking wounded and fight for the Billinge cause for 90-plus minutes each game.
“There were outstanding performances from Parr and Jordan Farrell but everyone played well.
However if I’m pushed for a man-of-the-match I’d go for Ant Higgins who was like perpetual motion all afternoon going up and down that line.
He was sheer class but most of all a winner.”