South Lancs/Cheshire League Division Two
Southport 3,
Oswestry Eagles 6
OSWESTRY edged a tight game at Southport to maintain their winning start to the season as Andy Howell kept his nerve to kick the Eagles to victory against a strong home side.
Coach Don Howell praised the side’s early form after watching them overcome a solid Southport side and believes Oswestry have a great chance of making a huge impact against the sides in Division Two of the South Lancs/Cheshire League.
“We are still learning from last season but our aim is to finish in the top four this time around,” he said.
“Southport had a good win on the opening day and they have a solid set of forwards but we improved tactically in the second-half and moved the ball around more.
“We didn’t have Andy Howell available to us last season but having a consistent kicker will give us a chance in any game.
“But we need strength in depth if we are to make a real go of things this year,” he added.
The visitors fell behind early on in their first away match of the season despite scrambling its defence to deal with an early Southport onslaught.
Oswestry were penalised at the breakdown but the penalty they conceded allowed them time to re-group and force their way up the other end of the field for Howell to pull the scores level with after being awarded a penalty of their own.
Dan Samuels’ injury forced Oswestry to reshuffle the pack but the Eagles increased the tempo after the interval as they began to move the burly Southport forwards around the pitch.
They moved through the phases before Howell slotted home a second penalty as desperate Southport players infringed around the ruck, and despite not being able to cross the try line, Oswestry controlled the latter periods of the game and closed out the win with man-of-the-match Guy Howell at the heart of another positive Eagles display.
The Eagles face Sefton at Park Hall this Saturday with all spectators and prospective players welcome when the match kicks off at 3pm.
Anyone interested in pulling on a shirt for the Eagles this season can contact Don Howell on 07739 446565. Training is held at Park Hall on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm.