Metro punish sloppy Santos

Photo: Tim Bradley

FULL TILT . . . Santos’s Johnny Phillips puts in a cross.

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Santos 4, Burnage Metro 4

SANTOS surrendered a three-goal lead as they shared eight goals with Burnage Metro at Oldham Academy North in Division ‘A’ of the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

Leading 4-1 with only 20 minutes left, some sloppy defending allowed a competitive Burnage side to score three times - and Santos have only themselves to blame.

On a freezing cold afternoon in Royton, there were doubts about the usually lush playing surface at the OAN, with the referee hinting at a possible abandonment if players couldn’t consistently stay on their feet.

There were no such worries - even as the thermometer dipped - and the conditions in the early stages were much in the favour of Santos. With the outstanding Johnny Phillips enjoying one of his better days in an attacking midfield role, Santos looked destined to win.

Former Manchester United youngster Phillips fired Santos ahead after 19 minutes with what must surely be a contender for amateur football’s goal of the season.

Playing a neat one-two just inside the Burnage half, Phillips advanced 10 yards before unleashing an unerring drive that arrowed into the top corner.

Burnage levelled 10 minutes later, but Santos edged ahead again shortly afterwards when Ali Simmons converted an Anthony Duffy cross from close range.

Phillips’ fiercely-driven corner kick eight minutes after the restart was met by the head of Michael Ball to make it 3-1, and Santos were really in the ascendancy just past the hour mark when Paddy Harwood’s precise delivery allowed Simmons to capitalise from eight yards out.

But then the malaise set in and Burnage, who looked dead and buried, rattled in three goals to steal a point.

If ever there was a case for two points lost, then this was it as Santos could have moved up to second in the table.