BLUES broke their New Year duck with a fine win at Formby.

Phil Mason and John Bluck, both back after a ban, were on target to seal a morale-boosting victory for Joe Gibiliru's men.

They had lost five of their last six.

Winsford's small band of travelling supporters were treated to a fine defensive display and a team that adapted to the difficult conditions better than their hosts.

With Michael Owens acting as sweeper and Mark Calland, Danny Webster and Lee Duckworth all turning in sparkling displays it was hard to remember any occasion when Michael Langley's goal was seriously threatened.

The strong following wind proved more of a hindrance than a help in the early minutes as passes were often overhit and ran away over the goalline.

On 12 minutes Calland got his centre just right and Mason's glancing header took the ball away from goalkeeper Lee Gunnion and into the far corner.

Blues soon began to use the wind to their advantage as they kept the ball on the floor and moved forward with short passing movements.

Ross Kennedy came closest to adding to the score in the first period when his 35-yard drive saw Gunnion scurry across his line to turn the ball away.

It was 21 minutes before Formby tested Langley but Robert Dutton's shot was weak and easily saved.

At the other end Mason was causing problems with his movement but a carefully-laid offside trap caught him out time and time again.

With the wind behind them in the second half the home side adopted a policy of shoot on sight but all too often the ball was wide of the mark or way over the bar.

It did seem the biggest threat was Gunnion's long kicks which on more than one occasion caused Langley a little panic as they by-passed all the outfield players.

Winsford were relying on quick breaks and closing down on defenders in the hope they might make a mistake.

The policy worked on 61 minutes when a hurried clearance was blocked by Mason and the ball fell between Gunnion, who was well out of his area, and Bluck who had spotted the opportunity.

The Winsford midfielder got the perfect touch as he knocked it past the stricken custodian and, after taking it forward a few yards, calmly side-footed it into the net.

The closing period saw pressure on the Formby goal with John Couch and Lee Madin both having opportunities to add to the score but their efforts were wide of the target.

Star Man: Michael Owens
Blues: Langley (GK), Calland, Duckworth, Owens, Webster, Bluck, Couch, Ennion, Mason, Madin (Connell 83), Kennedy (Thompson 85)
Sub not used: Dears
Attendance: 85