Parklands Res 4 St Michael's Res 2

FOOTBALL: A CAPACITY crowd watched Parklands Res overcome local rivals St Michaels to clinch the Warrington and District League's reserve division three title in their first season.

The two winning goals were scored in the last five minutes by substitute Kev Gauden.

St Michaels took the lead in the 18th minute but Anthony Nickson found himself in a great position after an excellent 50-yard run to equalise with a driving shot in the 30th minute.

Parklands started to dominate, with Stanton and Nickson both firing shots just wide before half time.

In the second period, neither team could gain control on the bumpy, dry pitch, with few chances in front of goal.

It was from a cross by Fitzsimons that Mark Stanton headed past the stranded St Michaels keeper to give Parklands the lead on 70 minutes.

Parklands thought they had the game won but began switching off in vital areas, leading to Ian Spencer giving away a penalty with 10 minutes left. The St Michael's forward easily dispatched the spot kick.

The home side made two substitutions bringing Gauden and Nicholls into the action replacing Tillett and Fitzsimons, this later proved to be important to the final score.

With four minutes to go, substitute Gauden side-footed home the first of his two goals and with the clock ticking away, the ball again fell for Gauden who finished from close-range.

Celebrations continued after the game and well into the early hours.