Q&A RYAN MOORE

Ryan! You’re our ‘Cover Star’ for today’s programme! Are you looking forward to the match? Yeah the match should be a good game and a good test for us. I know they’re pushing high up in the table and we’re trying to grab as many points as we can till the end of the season to hopefully carry momentum into next season, so this will be a good test to see if we can compete where we want to next season.

We face a tricky test in Vauxhall Motors this afternoon, what are you expecting from our visitors? To be honest not too sure what to expect from them I wasn’t here when they first played them earlier in the season.

Obviously they are a good team near the top of the table but that doesn’t mean anything to us, we know we can beat teams that are up there as we’ve done it numerous times this season.

You joined the club a couple of months into the start of this season, and have been an excellent addition to the club both on and off the pitch - how have you settled in and enjoyed your time at Gate so far?

I’ve really enjoyed being here all the boys made me settle in, I think it helped as I knew a couple of them already. I’d say I’m quite quiet at first in new surroundings so probs took me a couple training sessions to feel confident but I think when I got my chance I’ve proven it and I’m good enough for this level.

Are you happy with how the season’s gone for the team? Personally I think we could have done a little better. If you offered us FA Vase 3rd round & a cup quarter final before the season we would probs take that but going out to teams who we probably should of beat (on paper) is disappointing, so we need to learn from that and not underestimate anyone.

In the league we’ve struggled to find consistency after picking up good results here and there so plenty to improve on next season.

You’ve been a really strong addition to the Gate midfield and chipped in with a couple of big goals too, have you been happy with your own personal performances?

Personally I think I’ve done well since I’ve come in I’ve chipped in with a couple goals and a few assists which is what I feel I’m best at.

Would like to have contributed a few more in that department but overall I feel like I’ve helped the squad since I’ve come in.

Squires Gate have a growing fan base, as well as a strong social media presence. Has the support this season both at matches and online given the squad a boost? The supports always there, we are only a small club so you see the same faces supporting us home & away which is class.

The club wouldn’t be trying to achieve the things it wants to without the people that are here working behind the scenes which all the boys are grateful for.

Words by Brian Addison

It was good to see two of our vice presidents, who are regular supporters of Squires Gate, at the match against Prestwich Heys; George Diggle Westhead

George joined Squires Gate in 1954 and played 733 competitive games for the club plus many representative and friendly games which I think must be some sort of a record. He would have played a lot more games but he was serving 2 years National Service. Within them two years, he only played 4 games. He is probably the best player to play for the club in a lot of people's opinion.

George served over 50 years on our committee and raised thousands of pounds for the club.

Roy Westhead joined Squires Gate in 1962 after many years at Blackpool Mechanics, and played 247 games for Gate before injury forced retirement. He then helped to run the teams as trainer assistant, manager of first team and he was the first programme editor for many years.

Most importantly he became treasurer for many years, serving over 50 years on the committee. We like to recognise both George and Roy as well as Baz for their efforts for Squires Gate Football Club.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY SAM!

We’d like to wish young Squires Gate supporter, Sam a belated Happy 12th Birthday.

Sam turned 12 on 17th March and he usually attends the Brian Addison Stadium with his brothersandhisDad,Jason.

His favourite player is Josh Westwood and a quote from Sam himself:

“Squires Gate are the best local football club”

We agree Sam, and we appreciate your support, and we hope to see you at The Brian Addison Stadium again next season!

#WeAreGate disallowed for offside after a low ball across goal was tapped in at the back post. It was Gate who took the lead though, with James Boyd marking his return to the starting lineup with his 11th goal of the season. Ryan Riley showed excellent vision to switch the play from a free kick, which found Boyd in behind after a mistake in the Heys back line. Boyd composed himself well and found the net with the aid of a touch from the Heys keeper.

Gate’s dominance paid off, as Nathan Cliffe doubled the advantage with his 20th goal of the season on the half-hour mark. Moore and Sandle linked up beautifully outside the area and threaded Cliffe in behind, with the striker poking cleverly underneath the

Evans’ men did restore their two goal advantage on 53 minutes through Westwood. Riley was again the provider with a deep corner kick that was missed by the keeper and headed into the empty net at the back post by the Gate skipper. Prestwich refused to lie down though, and pulled another goal back on 65 minutes.

Gate did well to weather the storm though, and finally killed the game off on 76 minutes with Alex Ralph grabbing his first goal for the club on just his third appearance. The icing on the cake came for Gate on 89 minutes, with centre-back and skipper Josh Westwood doubling his tally for the afternoon, firing home from close range after a low ball in from Boyd.