North West Counties Football League Division One South

FC Oswestry Town 2

Cammell Laird 1907 0

FC OSWESTRY Town made it four consecutive wins in all competitions as they came out on top at home against Cammell Laird 1907.

A second half double by Harry Bower secured the three points for Town who continue their climb up the table.

Lairds came into the game on the back of a 6-0 defeat, but proved a tough nut to crack in the opening half.

It wasn’t the start Town would have hoped for as goalkeeper Louie Mackin went down after just three minutes of play with what was believed to have been concussion.

The keeper received treatment for almost 10 minutes before he was replaced by a substitute.

When play eventually resumed, Bower nearly put the hosts ahead when he broke through and set himself for a shot before a last ditch sliding tackle by Adam Rooney prevented his effort.

Lairds enjoyed the majority of chances early in the game with Ryan Burke’s right-footed effort from 25 yards out was clawed over the bar by Owen Lloyd, before Caleb Jones drilled his effort just wide of the left post minutes later.

Burke struck another long-range effort goalward which again required a good save by Lloyd to turn the ball over the bar.

The task was then made more difficult for Town when they were reduced to 10 men .

Top scorer Dave Howarth ran through on goal and tried to get a touch on the ball while Lairds keeper Josh Brooks tried to clear any trouble by heading the ball away. The challenge was deemed dangerous by referee Alex Bagguley who dismissed Howarth.

Town finished the first half with a good chance through Matthew T Jones who met Chris Craven’s cross with a diving header sent into the side netting from six yards out.

The sides were level heading into the break, with Town beginning to take the game to their hosts towards the end of the first period.

It wasn’t long before they took the lead after the break when new signing and manager of The New Saints Scott Ruscoe picked up the ball inside Lairds’ half of the pitch and played a through ball down the middle of the pitch to Bower who chipped his left-footed effort over Brooks to make it 1-0.

Lairds looked for a response to draw level with the hosts and went close on the hour mark when Elliot Jones crossed to the far post for Rooney who headed on target but couldn’t beat an inspired Lloyd in goal who again diverted the effort over the bar.

They went close again a minute later when Paul Jewell’s long pass was headed out to Caleb Jones outside the area who struck his right-footed effort against the post.

The visitors were unable to make their chances count however and they were made to pay the price for this when Town doubled their lead 10 minutes from time.

Craven did well to find Bower with a low ball forward on the right-hand side of the pitch who took on Rooney and went on a mazy run past three defenders and fired his left-footed strike past Brooks into the net to make it 2-0 with a superb solo effort.

Several more chances fell Town’s way but they were unable to add a third before the referee called an end to the game.

Town sit in sixth place just three points behind Wythenshawe Amateurs in second. Town next face Stone Old Alleynians away on Saturday, March 2.