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Gabs thriller on return home

6/12/2005

Castleton Gabriels 3
Flixton 4

GABRIELS returned to their Castleton home and took part in a magnificent North West Counties Second Division Trophy tie with Flixton.

The visitors took the lead on seven minutes when Gabs' old boy Lee Wilkinson scored from close range.

The goal seemed to settle Gabs and, playing some good football, the home team created a number of openings.

It needed a great performance from visiting goalkeeper Andy Robinson to keep a rampant Gabriels at bay.

He saved brilliantly from Young, Bartholomew and Barrington, who also hit the bar.

It beggared belief that, come the half-time whistle, Gabs trailed by a goal to nil.

In the second half the Castleton outfit continued to push forward but were caught out by a breakaway goal, Wilkinson firing in his second.

Gabs brought on Denny Khan and threw three up front.

Their bravery was rewarded on 70 minutes when Bartholomew scored from 10 yards.

But within a minute Wilkinson had completed his hat-trick as Flixton went 3-1 ahead.

Turner added a fourth for the visitors and the game appeared all but over.

The locals refused to give in as Paul Leonard scored a 25-yarder and Khan fired in a last-minute volley to make it 4-3 and put Flixton nerves on edge. Only a goal-line clearance prevented Gabs from equalising in the last few seconds of a truly great game.

Gabs travel to FC United on Saturday, the game being played at Gigg Lane, home of Bury FC, kick off at 3pm.