Match report: Squires Gate 6 Burscough 1

Squires Gate won their first home game of the season in convincing fashion, scoring five goals in the first half.
Joe Booth scores Gate's opening goal    Picture: ALBERT COOPERJoe Booth scores Gate's opening goal    Picture: ALBERT COOPER
Joe Booth scores Gate's opening goal Picture: ALBERT COOPER

Andy Clarkson’s men, who had drawn their Hallmark Security League premier division opener 1-1 at Silsden, took an early lead through captain Joe Booth at the Brian Addison Stadium.

Booth turned sharply on the edge of the box to fire home after only five minutes.

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They had to wait only four further minutes for their second as Ric Seear was fouled in the box by keeper Max Povey, who received a yellow card.

Seear then handed the spot-kick responsibilities over to Gary Pett, who punished Povey for his misdemeanour.

Pett scored again on 21 minutes to finish a lovely passing move through the midfield.

Seear found Danny Ing, who charged into the box and squared for Pett to dive in at the back post and score.

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Not content with this, Gate added a fourth on 28 minutes. Ryan Charnley, on his first start this season, took aim from 30 yards out and fired into the top corner.

Gate’s Ben Fletcher had to be alert after 35 minutes to save low to his left.

And the hosts ended what can be only described as a perfect half with another goal. Seear got in on the scoring act, outjumping Pett to head their fifth two minutes before the interval.

Much like the first half, the second started with a goal for Gate as half-time substitute Brett Dawson ran on to a through-ball and fired low past the keeper.

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Charnley tried to replicate his earlier goal when he took aim after 53 minutes but the midfielder couldn’t find the net this time.

Burscough netted themselves a consolation goal from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.

Chad Whyte stepped up and only just beat Fletcher, who got a foot to the penalty.

The win will fill unbeaten Gate with confidence ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup game at West Didsbury and Chorlton.

Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Sumner, Rossall, Gray, Ing, Booth, Charnley, Riley, Seear, Pett. Subs: Dawson, Bamba, Moxon, Mullen, Clarkson.