FOOTBALL LEAGUE

RESERVE DIVISION

HAVING both won all of their opening four games, this early season top-of-the-table clash promised to be a closely fought contest.

But after 90 minutes, Worsthorne were a well beaten team -- their unbeaten record in tatters as Enfield made it five out of five.

The Burnley side had the worse possible start when Ian Carrington under hit a back pass after just two minutes and pick pocket striker Robby Wade nicked in to cooly lift the ball over the stranded Adam Patrick.

Wade went on to poach another while slick Ricky Billington also hit a prize double as Worsthorne had no answers to the striking partners-in-crime.

However, it was midfield general Mark Pemberton who made this Enfield side tick.

Whether it was commanding the centre of the pitch or surging in to the area, Pemberton was the pick of a number of Enfield players who were on top of the game on the day.

Worsthorne enjoyed their best passage of play right after going a goal down until grabbing a deserved equaliser after 12 minutes.

Right back John O'Brien seemed to have telepathic understanding with Peter Coonan as the pair set up raid after raid down the right. And it was from that combination that Worsthorne levelled. O'Brien fed Coonan down the line but this time he came inside and his through ball was flicked on by Gary Moore in to the path of Mark Boyes who took his time before planting a shot past Adam Brindle.

Moore then forced Brindle in to a full length finger tip save to force the striker's first time effort around the post.

Pemberton came close to putting Enfield back in the lead but after dribbling his way in to the area his shot was blocked by Patrick. However, the midfield man was not mulling over his miss as Billington was bundled over in the box and Pemberton slotted home from the spot. Enfield now had the upper hand and they grabbed an all important third on the stroke of half time when Steve Parkinson found Pemberton who burst in to the box only for Billington to nick it of his toe and slide the ball home.

That lead was extended further five minutes in to the second half when Lee Tattersall's speculative shot was spilled by Patrick and Wade was lurking to bundle the ball home.

The keeper went some way to making amends soon after when he kept out a fine strike from Billington but the striker grabbed his second on the hour with an instinctive lob after Wade's initial shot was blocked. Enfield were guilty of switching off in the latter stages as Worsthorne saw plenty of the ball.

Moore forced a good save out of Brindle, the

frontman then finding himself totally unmarked in the area to head home with six minutes remaining.

John O'Brien then saw his long range effort well saved by Brindle before the keeper was relieved to see Moore rattled the crossbar from distance after latching on to his botched clearance.

But by that stage Enfield had already wrapped up the points and their unbeaten start to the season marches on.

Enfield Reserves...5 Worsthorne Reserves...2

Enfield Reserves

Adam Brindle (keeper) No chance with goals, a couple of good early saves...6

Steve Barton (right back) Decent game from skipper although should have opted for the easy option more often...6

Andy Smith (left back) Solid and dependable...7

Phil Braithwaite (centre back) Good game. Showed versatility when he moved in to midfield...7

Kenny Wildman (sweeper) Hardly put a foot wrong. Liked to come forward with the ball...7

Lee Tattersall (right midfield) Went for goal a little too often when an easy ball was on...6

Steve Parkinson (left midfield) Intelligent use of the ball. Not one loose pass...7

Rob Maxwell (centre midfield) Played the holding role well. Cleaned up in the middle...7

HMark Pemberton (centre midfield) Dynamic in the middle of the park and dangerous in the penalty area...8

Robby Wade (striker) Buzzed about up front and scored two goal poaches goals...7

Ricky Billington (striker) Two good goals. Dangerous when he came deep and ran at defenders...8

Subs:

Kien McShane (defender) Slotted in to the back four...6

Dean Halliwell (midfield) Supported attackers well...6

Worsthorne Reserves

Adam Patrick (keeper) Enfield strikers made sure he had a busy day. Made some good saves though...6

John O'Brien (right back) Made some very good early passes but then had to concentrate on defending...6

Kristian Uttly (left back) Solid enough display...6

Ian Carrington (centre back) At fault for opening goal. Settled down after dodgy start...6

Darren Pope (centre back) Stuck to his task well...7

Peter Coonan (right midfield) Started brightly but faded after the break...6

Andrew Carter (left midfield) Starved of possession out wide...6

Phil Edmondson (centre midfield) Never really got in to the game...6

Paul Tomlinson (centre midfield) Second best in the midfield battle...6

Gary Moore (striker) Set up first goal and alert to snap up second...7

HMark Boyes (striker) A real handful up front but lacked support. Took goal well...7

Subs:

Lee Kelly (defence) Did alright when he came on...6

Adam Gregory (defence) Cross set up second goal...6

Paul Slater (midfield) Decent 30 minutes on the flank...6