Keswick 5 vs Manchester 2:

After last weekend’s brilliant win over Blackburn Northern, Keswick Men’s 1st Team were sitting 1 point clear at the top of NWHL Division 2 going into the game against City of Manchester.
Keswick started the game well, and saw a lot of the ball in the opening stages of the game but failed to grab a goal from all their possession. With Keswick pushing early to take the lead they were caught out, and Manchester took the lead, despite being second best.
City of Manchester then grabbed a second goal to put themselves 2-0 up after 20 minutes.

Despite being 2 goals down Keswick were still looking the stronger team, creating lots of chances but failing to make the most of their opportunities.
Keswick did grab a goal minutes before half time when Charlie Jackson’s through ball into the D was deflected home nicely by Robert Owen to give Keswick a lifeline going into half time.
The second half started very similarly to the first, with Keswick still being very dominant in possession of the ball, and it didn’t take them long to find the equaliser.
A short corner was injected by Clive Swanston to man of the match Owen, whose brilliant strike found the corner of net, giving the left back his second goal of the game and tenth goal of the season!
Keswick took the lead just minutes later, when Mark Proctor found himself inside the opposition’s area and smashed the ball home from a tight angle to put Keswick 3-2 up.

Keswick then extended their lead further through an excellent goal from striker Ben Harrison. Harrison collected the ball at the edge of the Manchester area, and lobbed the ball beautifully over the stranded Manchester goalkeeper to give Keswick their fourth goal of the game.

The final goal of the game came through Mark Proctor, who got his second goal of the game. After some good work down the left side of the pitch the ball was fired into the D by Swanston, leaving it for Proctor to deflect home and give Keswick a 5-2 victory.
The 3 points keep Keswick at the top of the league, 2 points above promotion rivals Knutsford, with 5 games remaining.
Team: Tupper, Randell, Mattear, O’Shea, Owen, Wilson, Sloan, Jackson, Swanston, Proctor, Harrison, Heap.

This Saturday Keswick are away to Macclesfield, where they hope to keep their lead at the top of NWHL Division 2.