Lower Breck impressive in Charnock Richard win as Gary Moore makes 'outstanding' claim
FREE: Report and reaction from Lower Breck's 2-1 win over Charnock Richard
There was a sigh of relief from the Lower Breck dugout when the full-time whistle went as they earned a 2-1 win over Charnock Richard.
The hosts looked certain to move three unbeaten after Jesse Dowling and an own-goal put the Breck two in front.
Goalkeeper Theo Roberts was adjudged to have held onto the ball for too long as the referee cautioned the shot-stopper before awarding the visitors with an in-direct free-kick inside the box.
From the resulting dead ball, a penalty was awarded after the ball struck Lewis Buckley’s arm. Captain Nick Nickeas converted, despite Roberts guessing the right way, as he fired low into bottom corner.
REACTION FROM LOWER BRECK MANAGER GARY MOORE BELOW.
For 94 minutes, it was a polished and professional performance from Gary Moore’s side. A display, packed with free-flowing attacks and threatening runs from wingers, that was a far cry from performances of years gone by.
After a frantic opening exchanges, between two sides that were only separated by goal difference, Lower Breck took control.
They were in front before long as Jesse Dowling rounded off an eye-catching move. Charnock Richard relinquished possession inside their own half before a quick one-two with Buckley set Dowling through.
The former AFC Liverpool attacker showed the defender a clean set of heels and finished low, into the bottom corner.
After the interval, Dowling was involved again. His dangerous free-kick was diverted into the back of the net after a deflection off a Charnock defender on its way in.
Tom Douglas tested Ryan Hamer after Tom Croughan split the visitors defence. Douglas was denied by the feet of Hamer after unleashing a stinging effort as they chased a third.
Dowling almost doubled his tally, shortly after, as he danced through but his effort was straight at Hamer.
Breck were forced to weather a late surge from the visitors. Roberts was equal to Nickeas’ effort from close-range after brilliant work from Brad Carsley to cut-back onto the six-yard box.
Josh Dobie was on hand to keep the clean sheet intact, soon after, with an important goal-line clearance from Luke Power’s lob.
The Charnock midfielder beat the Breck shotstopper to a bouncing through but Roberts made a crucial touch to take the sting out of the effort.
Deep into stoppage time, three minutes of madness saw Charnock halve the deficit and threaten a grandstand finish.
Roberts was booked for time-wasting with the ball in his grasp and the visitors were given the opportunity to pepper the hosts’ goal with time ticking down.
Carsley was teed up and thumped goalwards but his effort cannoned off the arm of Buckley, prompting Lewis Gerrard to point to the spot.
Nickeas broke the resistance with a well-taken spot-kick but it was too little, too late. With the confusion of what transpired late on, there was relief and bemused looks from Moore and his backroom staff as they trotted over to their opposite numbers with three points in tow.
Lower Breck move three unbeaten and the excitement will undoubtedly increase. With plenty of twists and turns to come in the North West Counties Premier Division, Breck could very well be in the playoff pack come April.
After years of turbulence and squads ripped up by September 1, the blend of experience and desire has proved to be the perfect mix as they look to build on their strong start.
Listen to the reaction from Lower Breck manager Gary Moore below.