BILLINGE New Street made the long journey to the Cheshire/Shropshire borders to play Malpas FC on Saturday coming away with a hard-earned draw.

The Storks played the first-half going down the hill after losing the toss and it would be eight minutes into the game before either team had an effort on goal. That first chance came when the Storks midfielder Warren Gerrard latched onto a through ball from Connor Simpson, but Gerrard's shot from outside the box went over the crossbar.

This woke up the home team and they had two great efforts when Reece Quinn and Ablay Sowe both went close to taking the lead. Sowe was causing all kinds of problems running at The Storks defence, but his final pass was letting the talented youngster down.

Billinge's best effort came on the stroke of half-time when a corner on the left was headed clear only to be met by Jimmy Howard who's first time shot rattled the crossbar meaning that the first-half finished goalless.

In the second period both teams struggled in midfield with the heavy conditions, but Billinge were playing the better football on the flanks with Tyler Eaton and Jordon Hallwood overlapping and working hard. It was Hallwood's great challenge on the right in the 55th minute - winning the ball and beating two defenders before crossing the ball - and finding Martin Dearden who slotted the ball under the advancing keeper to give The Storks the lead. In the 70th minute Malpas were level. Ex-Crewe Alexandra professional and Northern Ireland international Steve Jones picked the ball up in midfield and found Sowe on the right; he advanced to the dead ball line and his first time cross found Terry Riley unmarked in the six -yard box who headed home.

In the last 15 minutes both defences were holding well and neither keeper were forced to make saves. Dearden, Jamie Cardwell and Hallwood all had chances to take the three points back up the M56 but the score was to remain 1-1 at the finish.

In what was a tough encounter Billinge captain, and centre-half Dylan Martin picked up the SC Renewables man-of-the-match award for another superb display in the heart of The Storks defence. The next fixture is at Sutton Leisure Centre next Saturday when The Storks entertain Sandbach United Reserves in a 2:30pm kick-off.