Report

Following a home draw to basement boys Heswall Reserves last time out, Athletic took today’s opportunity to hit back, and how.

Perfect playing conditions at Levers welcomed in-form Prescot Cables Reserves for this afternoon’s key tie, Chris Beaumont making several changes from his last selection.

From the off, Latics looked most likely to profit from the raw pace and strength of their last man-of-the-match Sean Heggarty. Graeme Carvell went close, as did Wayne Hulse and Dayne Murphy, but when Athletic forced a corner around the half-hour mark, it was the skipper who drew first blood. A vicious in swinging Clampitt delivery was met at the near post by Matty Earp, his glancing header nestling inside the far post.

Cables responded well, using their spare wide-men to deliver a succession of dangerous crosses. Dan Earp had to be on his toes to turn a fine header over the bar minutes later, before tipping a top-corner bound strike wide soon after. Cables were to squander a free-header soon after, and Blues were thankful for the half-time whistle, a chance to re-group and kick on.

Kick-on they did, and it was Heggarty whose constant running and willing resulted in a deserved goal after 55 minutes. A long ball forward was unwittingly nodded by a Cables defender into the path of Heggarty who, via a deflection, volleyed home from 18 yards - a deserved goal for the big man.

Cables were rattled,  and it was a piece of quick thinking from Salisbury and Hulse which was to add pain for the visitors. A quick throw in following a useful sweep by the Cables 'keeper saw him struggling to get back into his six yard box in time, and Hulse it was who from 40 yards lobbed the unfortunate stopper via the far the post. An incredible strike by the burly centre-forward, met with ecstasy by the home faithful.

Bebington were in complete control and were to pile on the misery further within minutes. As a Cables attack broke down, a fine ball from Chris Drew found Hulse in the left channel, he slipped it inside to Carvell, who slipped it further inside to Heggarty marauding forward. Heggarty made no mistake, his effort sliding into the gold-course end bag via the hand of the visiting goalkeeper.

Cables rarely threatened, a smart save down to his left from a fierce volley the worst Earp had to deal with, as in front of him Tom Tudor, Earp, Shaun Cunliffe and Drew were solid and imperious. 

There was to be no clean sheet for Athletic however, a late mix-up leading to an opportunity for the visitors, who with the Bebington back-line wrong-footed, took it from 20 yards with gusto.

Gloss was brushed back onto proceedings by who else, but Heggarty with minutes remaining. Tom Byrne was clipped on the edge of the box; Carvell stepped up for the resulting free-kick. His strike was curling, on target, but covered by the 'keeper, who succeeded in saving the effort, but failed to hold onto the ball. As he palmed the ball down and it popped up between defender and 'keeper, it was a brave header from Heggarty which secured his hat-trick, and restored the league-leaders' four goal lead.

The final whistle came soon after, a five goal haul leading to a five point gap at the top of Division Two. Improving Mallaby are next up for Bebington, and another three points to play for.