Joe Walton reaches 200 milestone as Liversedge march on at top of table
Liversedge FC had their winning streak in the Macron NCE Premier Division interrupted by the weather at the weekend, but remain five points clear at the top of the table.
Heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch meant that the scheduled game at Sheffield last Saturday was postponed, with the fixture now rearranged to take place on Tuesday, December 9 with a 7.45pm kick-off.
However, there was no stopping Danny Forrest’s men in midweek as they made it eight league wins in succession in fine style when at home to a capable Parkgate side.
The South Yorkshire side are in eighth place and having a decent season themselves, but were no match for a rampant Sedge team going from strength to strength.
The hosts brought the confidence gained from a come from behind FA Vase tie win in their previous game into this contest and established control by half-time.
Ryan Watson sent them on the way with the opening goal on 29 minutes as his well struck low shot found the back of the net.
Parkgate came close to hitting straight back with an Alex Wonham free-kick drawing a fine save from keeper Jordan Porter.
But within four minutes it was 2-0 as Alex Wollerton ran 20 yards unchallenged before picking his spot past the visitors’ keeper.
Torrential rain did not dampen Sedge spirits and they went further ahead in the second half when the long serving Joe Walton netted his 200th goal for the club – fittingly against the team he scored his first against.
With the game effectively won he was brought off to great acclaim, to be replaced by Finn Donovan.
Another goalscorer came off with Wollerton’s place taken by Alfie Dean, but there was no let up by the home side as they added another goal on 69 minutes, Kelan Swales providing a clinical finish.
There was still time for a fifth goal as George Green was played in and finished well to put the icing on the cake on an impressive night’s football.
Liversedge are in a strong position as they approach the half-way mark of their season this Saturday. They stand five points ahead of Beverley Town with three games in hand, are five ahead of Handsworth who have played two more, and six in front of their biggest title rivals at this stage Tadcaster Albion.
They have no midweek game this week, but after going 11 days without a match they have three in eight ahead, starting with a home fixture against Handsworth on Saturday.
They are also in action at Pickering Town in a third round League Cup tie next Tuesday.