A goal midway through the second half from birthday boy Kaiden Barlow earned Daisy Hill a 1-1 draw away at Holker Old Boys, on the opening day of the North West Counties League First Division North on Saturday, writes Ian Templeman.

The Daisy front man celebrated his 21st birthday with a well taken equaliser four minutes after Holker had taken the lead, and Daisy manager Lee Hill was full of praise for both the striker and his team mates after the game.

“I’m pleased with the result and the performance, but at the same time I am also a bit disappointed we didn’t win”, said Hill.

“We should have been two or three up at half time, and these are the details that define games. If the chances fall and you take them, it’s a different game.

“But I have to give praise to the lads for showing character to come back quickly after going 1-0 down.

“Kaiden did well, his movement was good throughout the game, and on another day he could have a couple more goals.

“It was a tough away game to have on the opening day of the season, against a consistently good side, and if you had asked me before the game if I’d take a point, I would have done.

“We have shown we can come away to one of the tougher sides in the league and take the game to them, go behind, and then show robust character to get back into the game.

“We defended well, created plenty of chances, and the only thing that was missing was us showing that final clinical edge in and around the box.

“There were good performances all round, the lads who came off the bench all did well too, and some of the Holker supporters said to me after the game that we should have won”.

Daisy began the game well, and created their first chance on 5 minutes, when skipper Jake O’Brien curled a shot wide.

A few minutes later a Charlie Roberts free kick cleared the crossbar, and then from another free kick, O’Brien’s well struck shot was met by an equally good save from Holker keeper Matt Bailey.

As the half wore on, Daisy continued to apply the pressure, and Roberts came close to opening the scoring when he raced through on goal and rounded the keeper, only to lose control of the ball at the vital moment.

Roberts then turned provider to set up Ryan Talbot for a shot that went wide, and Talbot was unlucky three minutes from half time when he found the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out by the flag of the assistant referee.

After the break, Holker began the second half on the front foot, and broke the deadlock just on the hour mark.

A corner kick from Frankie Ellis was curled towards the far post, and substitute Tyler Wood stole in unmarked to power a header past Daisy keeper Morgan Newns.

However, the lead lasted only four minutes, as Daisy drew level with a well worked goal.

Roberts was the architect, playing Barlow through on goal with an inch perfect pass, and the Daisy striker opened his account for the season with a cool finish.

In the closing stages Dean Singleton had a header well saved by Bailey, and substitute Mussab Benaly set up a shooting chance for Talbot who fired just over the crossbar from 12 yards.

However, Daisy had keeper Newns to thank for a great save deep into stoppage time from a Holker free kick, to ensure they picked up a valuable point.

Daisy now have a quick turnaround with their first home league game against Maine Road tonight (Monday), and Hill is expecting to field a side on similar lines to Saturday.

“We got through the game without any major knocks, so the squad should be on similar lines, but we will assess everyone beforehand and see where we are at.

“Maine Road won 3-0 on Saturday against a Steeton side we know have strengthened over the summer, so we know it won’t be an easy game.

“But if we can follow taking a good point away from home with a win, and take four points from our opening two games, it would be a fantastic start for us”.

Kick off at the Plumb Factory Stadium is at 7.45 pm.