WHAT was a great game for the neutral was not so good for supporters whose nerves were stretched by two shaky defences at the Barton Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues were 4-1 in front at one stage and yet satisfied to take a point at the final whistle.
A hectic start saw Winsford take the lead on nine minutes when Stuart Wellstead conjured up some magic on the left wing that left two defenders floundering and his pinpoint pass was crashed home by Ian Wilkinson.
The Blues' joy was short-lived and when Dave Turner's clearance went only as far as Martin Hastings, he took his chance from the edge of the penalty area.
The absence of Ian Given meant Chris Hutchinson was the front-man and he did a fine job, scoring the first of two goals on 27 minutes. Mark Quinn's through ball fell perfectly for Hutchinson and he crashed the ball high into the net. Hutchinson's ability to throw the ball great distances has proved a useful asset and one missile led to the third goal. Jamie Williams latched on to the clearance from the throw but his shot was charged down. Hutchinson had followed his throw-in and was on hand to score from close range. Five minutes later it was 4-1 as the referee adjudged that Turner had been tripped and Quinn made no mis-take from the spot.
In the few minutes leading up to the break, Ashton clawed two goals back. Atherton scored from the edge of the penalty area then, on the stroke of half-time, Tucker was adjudged to have brought down the same player who added to his total from the spot.
Efforts from Wellstead and Hutchinson went close but the inevitable happened on 85 minutes when a long ball down the middle found Neil Buchanan, and his lob beat the advancing Tucker.
The Blues still had a chance to take all three points when Liam Goulding's shot from 25 yards skimmed the crossbar. UNITED: Tucker, Frost, P Sweeney, Griffiths (Boothby 45), Turner, Williams, Wellstead, Quinn, Hutchinson (Goulding 83), Wilkinson, Harrison (Webber 33) Attendance: 107 Star Man: Chris Hutchinson, led the line well.
Next Best: Stuart Wellstead Blues Rating: 3 Match Rating: 4
