Squires Gate 3 Winsford United 3: Match report

Gate made the perfect start to the Hallmark Security League premier division match by taking the lead after only nine minutes.

Tarren Moxon was sent in behind the Winsford defence and outpaced the last man before firing low into the bottom corner.

Gate doubled their lead moments later. Winsford hit the bar with a header from a free-kick but Gate countered quickly and Moxon again timed his run well to take the final pass and finish clinically.

Moxon was causing the Winsford defence no end of problems and he had a great chance to secure his hat-trick after 35 minutes, when he again went through on the keeper but his shot was saved.

Even so, Gate would have settled for a 2-0 half-time lead as they sought their first win since the first Saturday of 2017.

After the break it was Winsford who resumed the stronger only for Gate to reassert their dominance with a third goal on the hour.

Moxon was again sent through on goal, leaving the last defender and the keeper on the ground behind him as he rolled the ball into an empty net to complete his hat-trick.

Winsford were offered a lifeline when a penalty was awarded for a foul by Paul Alexander and Jordan Johnson converted on 75 minutes.

And home nerves were jangling two minutes later, when Winsford reduced the gap further, the unmarked James Rothwell heading home a deep cross at the back post.

And the comeback was complete in the last minute, when a corner was scrambled home by Daniel Egan.

So Gate had to settle for a point, only their fifth of the year, and drop another place to 17th ahead of Saturday’s home game with West Didsbury and Chorlton.

MARK ASHMORE

Gate: Griffith, Richards, Rossall, Alexander, Carroll, Waters, Fishwick, Hall, Seear, Noblet, Moxon. Subs: Bamba, Higham, Penswick