Promotion!

The Bees, starting without Dean Colasurdo, Mark Smith and Jamie Stephenson amongst others, knew they would have a tough time v Neston after losing 2-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

However, South Manchester made their intentions clear when Antony Rigby fashioned a chance within the first minute that was the first of many saves for the away keeper. Rigby continued his left wing running and found Gareth Hampton on the p spot and the captain stayed calm to lift the ball into the net. The pressure was maintained as Richard Greenhough found Rigby cutting in from the left to make it 2-0. Neston were stunned further as Greenhough played a delightful through pass for Hampton who rocketed a shot into the bottom corner, one of the sweetest strike the home crowd have seen all season.

3-0 with 10 minutes played. Neston organised themselves, made a change at the back and established their play. The rest of the half was a close fought encounter as the Bees defended well and stand in keeper Ashley Critten made a few good saves. The closest Neston came was a peach of a shot from a short corner which clipped the post and went wide, with Tom Ainsley hearing the ball whistle past his head.

3-0 at half time and the Bees 35 minutes away from promotion. It was all but won after just 2 minutes of the second half when Vivek Tharaken, marshalling the centre all game with Matthew Bottomley, played in Tom Hornsby to place home. Couple of green cards were dished out by the away umpire, first to Mark Scholes for several reckless stick tackles, then to Patrick Souter for dissent.

Neston seemed determined to score an away goal but the Bees played the counter attack perfectly and Greenhough alone could've scored 3 or 4. Just the one would have to do today as a shot by Rigby was knocked away by the Neston keeper but it fell straight to the Yorkshireman and he couldn't miss from a yard out. Hornsby added another seconds before the end on yet another counter attack with Greenhough getting his third assist of the day.

With Sale HC beating their opposition 6-0 also, it leaves the Cheshire club top of the league, 3 points clear with a +15 better goal difference. Only an 8 goal victory will see the Bees win the league next week when they meet, but stranger things have happened. Man of the Match to Bottomley with Stewarts short white shorts earning him DoD.