Daisy Hill bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 4-1 victory over Garstang in the North West Counties League First Division North clash at the Plumb Factory Stadium on Friday night, writes Ian Templeman.

A penalty from Jake O’Brien and a fine strike from Sam Twist in the opening 14 minutes got Daisy off to a great start, and Kaiden Barlow added a third just after half time.

A fine solo goal from Garstang’s Weslie Bajraliu reduced the arrears, but Krisel Prifti wrapped up a good night’s work for Daisy with a fourth goal two minutes from time.

Daisy manager Lee Hill was happy with his side’s performance after the game.

“The objective was always to get the three points, and the manner that we did it was pleasing”, said Hill.

“We probably lost our way a bit in the second half towards the end, but you can’t fault Garstang for their spirit and the way they never stopped and never gave up.

“Sometimes this season we have been on the wrong end of fine margins, but tonight we were on the right side, getting an early penalty and then Sam Twist’s goal that hit the bar and bounced over the line.

“At times we struggle to close games out, but tonight I thought that we did it pretty well.

“It was a bit disappointing to miss some of the chances we created, and we definitely need to be a bit more clinical and a bit more ruthless at certain moments in games, and start putting more of these chances away.

“It was good to see Jacob Ridings make an impact on his return to the club, he came off the bench and got an assist and that is what he has been brought in to do.

“No disrespect to Garstang, but they are below us in the league, so now we need to show that we can produce this type of performance against teams around us, because these are the teams we need to be beating and who beat us last season.

“It’s important that we just keep the momentum going, don’t make too many changes, use this result to start laying foundations to build on, and keep the good habits going game after game”.

Daisy took the lead in the 7th minute when Luke Roscoe was tripped just inside the penalty area by Garstang’s Kyle Lewis, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Skipper Jake O’Brien successfully converted the penalty and kept up his 100% record from the spot this season.

Twist then tested Garstang keeper Joel Sargeant with a shot that the keeper had to fist away to safety, but Twist did get on the score sheet in the 14th minute when he doubled Daisy’s lead with a cracking 25 yard shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line.

The lively strike force of Barlow and Twist were causing the Garstang defence problems, and after a header from Barlow looped just over, Twist was again denied by a good save from Garstang keeper Sargeant.

Barlow then had an effort that just missed the near post after he had outpaced the Garstang back line, as Daisy continued to dominate the possession without adding to their lead before the break.

But four minutes into the second half, Barlow met a pinpoint cross from Callum McHale with a downward header into the bottom corner to put Daisy 3-0 ahead.

To Garstang’ credit, they stepped up the pace in an attempt to get a foothold back in the game, and on 53 minutes, a fine solo goal from Wes Bajraliu gave them some hope.

Picking up the ball wide on the right, the Garstang striker stormed past two challenges before racing into the box and despatching a well-placed shot into the far corner of the net.

With Garstang pushing forward in search of a second goal, they were always vulnerable to the counter attack, and just after the hour Barlow beat the offside trap in chasing a long ball out of defence, but steered his shot just wide of the far post.

As the game moved into the closing stages, some desperate defending from Daisy and some good blocks in the penalty area were needed to keep Garstang at bay, but with two minutes remaining, a good night for the home side was wrapped up with a fourth goal.

The architect was substitute Jacob Ridings, making his first appearance in his third spell at the club after signing from Charnock Richard, when he burst into the box and cut the ball back for Prifti to side foot home.

Daisy have an Atherton Charity Cup quarter final game against Bolton County this evening (Monday).

They have no league game on Saturday but are back in action on Monday, October 14, when they host Skelmersdale United in the First Round of the Edward Case Cup.