Early promise fades away

Lancashire and Cheshire League
SANTOS crashed out of the Rhodes Cup 5-2 at Premier Division Mellor in one of only two Lancashire and Cheshire League games played.

Playing at Manchester United’s plush Carrington training facility, already depleted Santos had to start with 10 men due to late arrivals.

Santos grabbed the first goal, as a long clearance from Gary Kelly found Jonny Phillips and he lobbed the ball home.

Mellor then equalised with a well-worked goal and great right-foot finish from the edge of the box.

Next some sloppy defending cost Santos as Mellor guided a soft ball across the six-yard area and it wasn’t cleared. Four Santos players had chances to snuff out the danger, but a complete mix-up led to an easy tap-in for Mellor to make it 2-1.

Santos kept heads high and created more chances to level. Their persistence was rewarded with a penalty 10 minutes from half-time following a handball in the box. Phillips hit the spot-kick straight down the middle to make it 2-2.

That would have been a worthy scoreline at half time, but following another defensive error by Santos, Mellor pounced late on to make it 3-2 at the interval.

The second half started similar to the first with both teams being positive and creating chances.

However, it was Mellor who scored first thanks to a cracking 35-yard strike.

Santos were creating little, allowing Mellor to take control and they scored another five minutes later to leave Santos with a massive task to get back into the game.

Veterans Mills and Sarsfield came on for Santos to add a bit of spark and invention, but they were unable to rescue the situation.

Oldham Victoria defied the elements to secure a terrific 5-1 Division Three victory at Bedians reserves.