A BUSY week for Flixton F.C. was completed on August bank holiday Monday with an amazing 4 - 4 draw against St Helens Town in Division One of the NWCFL.

Flixton started very brightly and well in control of the early stages of the game. Micky Beirne slotted home a well deserved goal on 15 minutes, but disaster struck immediately as a through ball almost from the kick off caught out left sided defender Rob Kelyball watching for visitor, Terry Nestor to run through and latch onto an equaliser.

From that moment onwards Flixton went down hill, they continued their poor defending, whic saw them give away 2 points the previous Saturday against Prescot Cables, 3 goals in 6 minutes from the visitors clearly destined the next 3 points up the A580 East Lancs Road.

Goals from Mark Ashton (19), Ged Hinnegan (22) and Terry Fearns (25) seemed to seal the fate, especially when candiadte for Man of the Match, Micky Beirne missed a penalty just before half time, following St Helens being reduced to 10 men with the sending off of goal scorer Ashton.

The game got very heated after this point as the visitors became very physical and at times "brutal", which was surprising, considering their 4 - 1 lead. The referee was now finding how difficult it can be to control these type of games and was not helped with some poor linesman ship form from one of his Assistants, who had to be allotted St Helens' strike force to watch.

The offside decisions were critical, delays by the official created hesitancy and apprehension within the Flixton rear guard, but it was no excuse for their well below par performance and defensive skills. Half time Flixton 1 v 4 St Helens Town.

A half time roasting of the players made the atmosphere within the dressing somewhat explosive, manifesting itself onto the pitch, as the game restarted with a bang. Paul Garvey scoring the first of his 2 goals on 47 minutes, as the visitors continued to display the aggressive side of the play, resulting in 2 substitutions for serious injuries on 60 and 61 minutes.

Local lad David Fahey made it 3 for Flixton on 62 minutes, with a superb through ball from Paul Garvey, which he ran onto, shaking off 2 defenders as they attempted to sandwich the striker, but his physical strength and speed pushed them to one side before sliding the ball under keeper Wood.

With the score now on 3 - 4, the visitors were now clearly shaken and showed signs of panic, concentrating more on fouling rather than the football which gave them the half time lead. This resulted in better play for the home side resulting in the goal of the game, a 25 yard volley from Paul Garvey screaming into the top corner of the goal.

More problems occurred for the match officials shortly afterwards, St Helens were not happy with some of the refereeing decisions, although none of the goals could be disputed, as they lost a 3 goal advantage. It seemed every time a Flixton player went down they said it was play acting.

The visitor No. 8 was lucky not tobe sent off as he charged Micky Beirne from behind finishing it off with what looked like a forearm smash, more befitting the wrestling ring, not a fotball pitch. The game remained on fire right up to the final whistle, keeping the 148 strong crowd on their nerve edge, as Flixton pushed for that 5th and winning goal, unfortunately it was not to be and on reflection over the whole game a 4 - 4 draw was fair to both sides.

Team : Dean Oram, Dave Thomas, Rob Kelly, David Dale, Martin Ivison, Deano Shaw, Paul Garvey, Wayne Dux, Michel Beirne (Capt), David Fahey, Desmond Rooms. Subs : Scott Dignan (61), John Main (60), Cliff Greenhalkgh (75).

FLIXTON entertained Abbey Hey on Tuesday 22nd August for their first home fixture the first half began with a flurry, with the visitors causing many problems, which paid dividends after only 4 minutes when they took the lead.

Flixton's defending never improved, for the remainder of the half, and at times it was appalling, again allowing too much room on the flanks, with the added problem of our central defenders stuttering and frequently getting caught out when trying to play the offside trap.

This was not helped by a poor performance from the match officials, missing many of Abbey Hey's attacks, which on another day would have been penalised as off side. This was followed almost on the stroke of half time, with barely 2 minutes to go, the referee ignored a heavy foul tackle on David Dale just inside the Flixton half, the ball was moved forward quickly resulting in Rico Richards netting from yards making it 0 - 2.

This was a heavily disputed goal, with the referee yards behind play, goalkeeper Dean Oram attempted to clear the ball, from a couple of yards away Abbey Hey forward Rico Richards handled the ball into his own path and side footed home, it could be used as an excuse as their first half performance was poor.

The 2nd half was brighter, new signing from Radcliffe Boro', Paul Garvey, started to show his strength as the home side gritted their teeth and started to believe in Manager Kevin Aston's instructions, work hard, battle in midfield, as a result on 55 minutes Martin Ivison finished off an excellent move down the right, Desmond Rooms crossing for it to be headed home.

Throughout the rest of the game Flixton continued to battle, challenging every effort forcing Abbey Hey to make mistakes, but to no avail as the game came to an end. Kevin Aston summoned by saying "We were unlucky in the end not to get something out of the game, once the players believe in what they can do as displayed in the second half, we will get stronger, become more difficult to beat and win more games.

Team : Dean Oram, Dave Thomas, David Dale, Mark Dewar, Rob Kelly, Gavin Ellison, Paul Garvey, Scott Dignan, Martin Ivison, Micky Beirne, Desmond Rooms. Subs : Deano Shaw (76), Wayne Dux, Stuart Hartford.

ON Saturday, 26th August, Prescot Gables were the visitors to the Valley and they went home with a share of the spoils as the result finished 2 - 2. Flixton started very well going 2 - 0 up after 33 minutes through Dave Thomas (17) and Micky Beirne (33).

This sparked some very physical play from Prescot as they fought hard to retrieve the 2 goals. On the stroke of half time the home side lost Wayne Dux with concussion, following a nudge from a member of the opposition, resulting in a heavy head on collision with the concrete perimeter fence.

The shape of Flixton's team and defence was disrupted further wih injury losses, Dave Thomas and Gavin Ellison both being taken off and centre back Mark Dewar hobbling for the last 15 minutes. Ellison & Dewar's injuries serious enough for them to miss the following game versus St Helens Town.

With 3 quick successive substitutions the balance and shape of Flixton's play was reflected in the loss of possession and ground as Prescot pushed forward, substitute Joe Gibiluru doing most of the damage with his strong forward runs, within 5 minutes of him coming on his side pulled one back through Chris Woodward (59), then 2 minutes later Steve O'Neill netted home the equaliser.

With 24 minutes to go it was hang on time at the Valley, flixton wanting to push forward to recover the 2 goal lead lost, but leaving too much room in midfield and defence, allowing Prescot to penetrate.

Fortunately hanging onto the 2 - 2 score was achieved as one point was gained, but 2 were given away.

Flixton now have 3 points from their first 4 NWCFL Division One games, having drawn 3 matches, not a very convincing start and at times somewhat of a Jekyll & Hyde performances. Season's Goal Scorers : Beirne (2), Garvey (2), Fahey, Ivison, Thomas (1).