GLAXO Men needed points this week against bottom of table Nelson and Rossendale to maintain their own fight against relegation from Division One of the North West League and won 3-2.

Glaxo pegged back the opposition and opened the scoring when Steve Olliver converted an early penalty corner. Nelson equalised after a quick break just before half time, but Glaxo had the better structure and control and scored when Charlie Long's shot from a penalty corner deflected in.

Glaxo keeper Paul Storey tripped a lone forward, Nelson converted the penalty stroke and Glaxo were relieved not to have their keeper sent off.

Both teams went for a win, but Glaxo gained the advantage when Nelson substituted their capable left-back for a midfielder. Neil Cooke broke from midfield and crossed for Mark Cook to draw the keeper with a dummy strike, which left Steve Olliver free to score his second and the game's winning goal.

Charlie Long was man of the match.

Glaxo travelled away to Timperley the following day and played some of their best hockey of the season, but had to be content with a 3-3 draw.

A strike from Olliver opened Glaxo's account and was followed by another from Stuart Smith in open play.

Dave Thompson supplied the third from a well-executed short corner.

Timperley bossed the second half with good use of their substitutes and scored three times in the last 15 minutes to share the spoils.

Dave Thompson was the pick of Glaxo's players.

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Kendal Men, starting on Saturday when they travelled to play bottom team Southport Fleetwood and ran out 11-0 winners.

With regular keeper Matt Bostock still unavailable, Chris Goddard volunteered to guard the Kendal goal.

Southport were under intense pressure from the start, but some excellent goalkeeping kept Kendal at bay for 15 minutes.

In the end Kendal skipper Jon Elleray showed his team the way by striking the first goal.

Once the gate was open the goals came at regular intervals. Ewan Galloway cracked in the second, closely followed by Phil Conlin.

A rare attack from Southport ended with stalwart Kendal defender Steve Southworth leaving the field with a broken finger, a bitter blow for the men in green.

In the second half the goals came thick and fast. Southport seemed unable to get past the dynamic Rob Bradshaw, who covered huge areas of the midfield and created countless opportunities for Kendal.

Steve Perruzza added to the swelling goal count, Adam Young supplied a spectacular brace, Phil Conlin took his tally to four before Ewan Galloway finished off a hat-trick with the final goal of the game crashing in to the roof of the net.

It was a different story on Sunday when Kendal met league leaders Didsbury and went down 4-1. Kendal started well and Steve Barclay scored from a penalty corner.

All went well until Kendal were awarded a long corner. Dissent saw the umpire reverse the decision to Didsbury and the visitors went upfield and equalised.

The complexion- of the match changed as Didsbury kept their heads and Kendal were rattled. Despite hard work, the home side could not make further impression on the score while Didsbury wore them down and and finally came out three goals ahead.

February 7, 2003 09:30