Shaw Lane Aqua Force Barnsley 2-0 Swallownest Miners Welfare

Saturday 4^th May 2013, County Senior League Premier Division

Shaw Lane Aqua Force Barnsley extended their unbeaten run to twenty seven league matches, as they completed the County Senior League Premier Division season with an unbeaten home record which was accomplished with victory over Swallownest Miners Welfare.

In a tight game where the league champions were restricted to few clear-cut chances, the match was won with late goals from Jack Steers and substitute Danny Frost in the final ten minutes.

 With both sides defensively-sound for most of the game, it took until eight minutes from full-time before the deadlock was broken. Danny Barlow’s corner was deflected to the feet of Steers who blasted the ball home from close range from within the crowded penalty area.

In stoppage time, when Swallownest targeted an equaliser, they were hit on the counter attack. Frost broke clear of the Welfare defence, who appealed desperately for offside, as the striker stroked his low shot into the bottom corner to seal the win.

Between goals, Aqua Force were also denied by the woodwork. John Dowle opted to shoot from a tight-angle when he found himself isolated in the box, but the post denied the substitute a place on the score sheet.

Buoyant from salvaging a late draw at home to Frecheville last week, Swallownest started brightly. Richard Williams’ cross was met by Andy Jones whose glancing header skimmed wide of the right-hand post in the tenth minute.

At the other end Danny Barlow’s turn-and-shot on the edge of the box was sent high and wide. Moments later Welfare’s Jones sent a shot wide of the right-hand post.

Shaw Lane’s Carl Fothergill showed promise with his run midway through the first half. He sprinted to the by-line with a run from deep, but his shot from a tight angle was caught by the goalkeeper. This was before Luke Danville’s header looked destined for the top corner, but Swallownest’s Andrew Naylor somehow got his fingertips to the ball to keep it out.

Shaw Lane goalkeeper Josh Herring didn’t need the same acrobatics when Daniel Payne and Michael Briggs sent efforts a long way over the crossbar. However he was required to be at his best for Mark Jones’ low, long-range shot, which was heading towards the bottom left hand corner before the stopper tipped it round the post.

Fothergill showed good understanding with teammate Rob Oldham when the pair played a neat one-two, before the formers shot drifted just wide, as half-time drew close. Before Daniel Payne’s effort was caught by Herring to ensure the half ended goalless.

The half-time team talk inspired Aqua Force almost from the first instance. Danny Barlow showed skill to weave past Daniel Archbold, but Naylor was off his line sharply to narrow the angle and make the save.

Welfare would have kicked themselves for not opening the scoring, however. A swift counter-attack saw David Sills, Richard Williams and Michael Briggs outnumber the champions’ defence 3-on-2. But despite neat interplay between the three the opportunity was not taken. Briggs’ shot was parried by the alert Herring, before the keeper showed off fine reflexes to deny Sills’ follow-up.

The strong wind certainly played its part in the fixture. None more so as when John Dowle’s corner almost curled directly into the net. Thankfully the Miners’ defence were relieved to see it go wide of the far post. This was soon followed by Danny Barlow’s powerful shot being cleared off the by Danny Archbold as Force looked to end the season with yet another victory.

Swallownest continued to create chances and for a significant period of time looked the most likely to score in the second half. Tom Crosby’s long-range effort was caught by the keeper and David Sills’ shot was deflected wide.

With twenty minutes remaining Michael Briggs troubled the goalkeeper when striking a half-volley on target, before Andy Jones’ effort was parried by Herring from long-range. Michael Wade sent an effort just wide, as luck wasn’t on Swallownest’s side.

And so it proved as Danny Barlow’s corner ended at the feet of Jack Steers resulting in Shaw Lane finally breaking the deadlock with eight minutes to spare, as the defender blasted an unstoppable shot beyond the Welfare goalkeeper.

This put the league leaders into the driving seat and minutes later John Dowle found himself with the ball in the box, albeit at a tight angle; his effort came close to doubling the lead as the shot shook the near-post.

Substitute Danny Frost however sealed victory, when his superb run beat the offside trap. He slotted a tidy finish into the bottom-left corner to complete the scoring, as Aqau Force ran out 2-0 winners.

Shaw Lane Aqua Force Barnsley Team: Josh Herring, Richard Lavery, Duane Grace, Richard Morris, Rob Oldham, Jack Steers, James Young, Matt Moore, Carl Fothergill, Luke Danville, Danny Barlow. Substitutes: John Dowle, Conrad Baranyai, Danny Frost, Josh Wright

Swallownest Miners Welfar Team: Andrew Naylor, Daniel Archbold, Ross Edwards, Tom Crosby, Kieran Hemming, Michael Wade, Michael Briggs, Richard Williams, Andy Jones, Daniel Payne, Mark Jones. Substitutes: David Sills, Jack Hutch

High Green Villa 0-3 Wombwell Main

Windsor Food Services County Senior League Cup Final, Thursday 18^th April 2013 

 

Wombwell Main breezed to success in the final of the county senior league cup with a commanding 3-0 victory against High Green Villa, at Sandy Lane in Worksop on Thursday night.

Villa were undone by a quick-fire double just before the break. Thomas O'Brien's low ball to Chris Walton resulted in a powerful shot from the Number Seven which was acrobatically denied by Villa's Christian Bark. Unfortunately for the stopper it fell to the feet of Simon Chadburn, lurking at the far post, who blasted into the top-left hand corner of the goal, past the still grounded goalkeeper; giving Wombwell the lead.

High Green were stunned, but Wombwell were stimulated and it took less than a minute before their lead was extended. Matthew Vaines' cross was underestimated by the sleeping Villa defence, allowing for Chadburn, one-on-one, to weave around Bark and double his and his team's scoring tally.

Despite improving briefly after half-time a comeback never really seemed on the cards, and so it proved with twenty minutes remaining, with the most creative goal of the evening. Damon Cassell received the ball with his back to goal in a central position just inside the penalty area; he lifted the ball above his head, before striking an overhead kick beautifully into the corner of the goal to complete the scoring, as the 2007-08 cup winners regained the trophy in emphatic style.

On paper the two teams were inseparable. High Green were one point better off in the table having played a game more; recent form identical of one win and one defeat in both sides last four league games, and the two sides drawing in Wombwell a fortnight previously. But this fixture never looked like being destined for extra time once underway.

High Green started off brightly. In the second minute Ben Compai, once cutting inside, thought he had played a great through ball to Scott Chamberlain, who would have been one-on-one if not for the assistant referee's flag.

At the other end a swift counter attack. Chadburn played a crossfield ball Vaines, who chipped a cross through to Cassell; the striker could only half-volley over the crossbar when under pressure.

 Main could count themselves unlucky not to take the lead earlier than they did. Midway through the first-half a cross from O'Brien led to a shot from Chadburn which looked destined for the bottom right corner, only for it to strike Wombwell's own Chris Walton and bounce away to safety.

Villa to their credit did create chances. A free-kick from Joseph Coy was headed by Ian King by flew off-target. Later in the half Carl Swift's throw was flicked on by Compai, but Dominic Beevers could only send the effort straight at the keeper.

The deadlock was broken with five minutes of the half remaining. Walton's effort was kept out by the body of Villa's Bark, who was unlucky to see it fall to Chadburn whose unstoppable effort hit the top corner.

Green were shell-shocked and barely had time to reorganise when Vaines' cross came to the unmarked Chadburn fifty seconds later. He rounded the former Ecclesfield Red Rose goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the empty net.

It was almost three in three minutes. Vaines in his own half found Cassell with a long, through-ball. On this occasion the striker could only send the effort wide of the right hand post after beating the offside trap.

Villa's team talk appeared to have some effect as they started the second period motivated. Chamberlain found Beevers with a delicate ball which sent the versatile player into a one-on-one, but Wombwell's Craig Watson was able to make a save with his feet from the forthcoming effort.

Withering the storm, Wombwell were able to craft chances of their own. Ryan Bent's deep cross was met by the head Simon Chadburn, whose header did not result in the hat-trick he craved, when tipped behind by Bark. Minutes later High Green's Beevers had a difficult chance from a tight angle which was sent behind by Watson. Ryan Robinson's header from the following corner was sent over the bar.

With twenty-three minutes remaining the night's scoring was concluded. Cassell's chip and precise execution with his back to goal was unexpected for both spectators and the Villa defence alike, which presented Main with a stunning three-goal surplus.

Villa tried to grab a consolation in the closing fifteen minutes, such as when Joseph Littlewood's long range effort stung the goalkeeper's gloves, and Ian King's blast from outside the box rustled the side netting. But these efforts, along with Scott Chamberlain's attempt from close to the corner flag which ended on the roof of the net, came to no avail.

Wombwell, who needed a penalty shootout to beat Jubilee Sports in the semi-finals, were deserved winners on the night, and they lifted the trophy for the fifth time in their history, five years after they last lifted it aloft.

High Green Villa Team: Christian Bark, Carl Swift, Tom Burns, Joseph Coy, Ryan Robinson, Dominic Beevers, Joseph Littlewood, Tarean Forarty, Scott Chamberlain, Ben Compai, Ian King. Substitutes: Andrew Thompson, Tom Duty, Jonathan Thompson, Andrew Simison, Gary Spencer

Wombwell Main Team: Craig Watson, Ryan Bent, Andy Smith, Thomas O’Brien, Martin Watkin, Scott Smith, Chris Walton, Ben Maskill, Simon Chadburn, Damon Cassell, Matthew Vaines. Substitutes: Adam Low, Matthew Bowman, Lewis Clayton, Lee Farrar, Ross Tutill

Houghton Main 2-1 Swallownest Miners Welfare

Saturday 30^th March, County Senior League Premier Division

Houghton Main kept pressure on title rival Shaw Lane Aqua Force, with a 2-1 victory over Swallownest Miners Welfare in a match not short on controversy.

It was Swallownest who took the lead after just seven minutes. Michael Briggs dribbled down the right flank, before producing a low cross to Jason Short inside the penalty area who- unmarked- placed a side-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

But Houghton were soon level. As Luke Sykes attempted to control a high ball when inside the penalty area, his standing foot was taken from beneath him by a combination of desperate defenders. Captain, Adam Stead dispatched the resulting spot kick into the top right hand corner, sending goalkeeper, Andrew Naylor, the wrong way.

With fifteen minutes to go the turnaround was complete. Stead sent through a delicate ball to Sykes, for the striker to slot in the winner from a tight angle.

Naylor was to be beaten for a third time- again by Sykes- although it was to be ruled out for offside. The referee, Neil Walker, deemed this to be kicking the ball away, and provided Sykes with a second yellow card; Sykes had been booked for time wasting five minutes before receiving his marching orders.

In the first half’s exciting opening stages it was Houghton who had the first opportunity. Scott James’ cross was headed away only as far as Carlton Dickinson, whose half-volleyed effort flew over the bar. However, within two minutes Swallownest were in front, with Short taking the visitor’s first chance with his low finish.

At this point Swallownest appeared to take more control, but couldn’t add to their tally of one. With ten minutes on the clock, Briggs sent a through ball to Short who returned the ball back to Briggs with a perfectly weighted cross, but his  header was superbly parried by Houghton’s Sam Leigh before Richard Williams could only send the rebound over the crossbar from a difficult, tight angle.

Main continued to withstand Welfare’s heavy pressure throughout this period. Leigh was again forced into a fine save when Ashley Atkins had an attempt at goal from the edge of the area; and on the quarter-hour when Naylor’s pump up field found Short one-on-one, the striker was unable to control the ball in the air and could only send a tame short straight at the Houghton ‘keeper.

In hindsight the match’s turning point was the award of a penalty for Houghton by the referee, as Sykes was sent tumbling to the ground. Stead calmly levelled things up with the resulting spot-kick and suddenly Main were back on level terms.

Houghton’s confidence grew and the hosts came close to taking the lead when Jake Simon’s low cross was forced to be cleared off the line by Steven Bates.

At the other end Swallownest’s chances were restricted, with Michael Wade blasting over from long-range and Alex Nightingale sending a tame shot straight at the goalkeeper. This was before another dangerous low cross from Briggs had to be gathered by Leigh with Welfare’s strikers lurking at the far post.

Houghton too were in search for a second goal, Aaron Tate had a low shot wide of the left-hand post and moments later Adam Stead’s dangerous ball across the six-yard box couldn’t be met by any of Main’s attacking option, and drifted out for a goal-kick. This was prior to Jake Simon’s low shot being parried by Naylor.

The second half began as enthralling as the first. Swallownest had appeals for a penalty of their own turned down when Daniel Monfredi tackled Short in the box. And it was the visitors who had the most creative effort of the game when Richard Williams attempted an overhead kick from Atkins’ cross, but it whistled wide of goal.

Just after the hour-mark Sykes, throughout the match a nuisance to the Swallownest defence, hit a powerful shot inside the area which was blocked well by the goalkeeper.

But with fifteen minutes to go, Welfare’s resistance gave in. Sykes, who beat the offside trap perfectly from Stead’s through ball, was able to finish from the left-hand-side of the penalty area, giving the hosts the lead for the first time.

However Sykes was soon to go from hero to villain. After being ruled offside with five minutes of play remaining and receiving a booking for kicking the ball away in frustration, he was sent through again by Shann Mitchell. However, the offside flag was again raised and, as the ball was sent past Naylor, the goal was ruled out. With a precedent set five minutes earlier, referee Walker again judged this to be time-wasting and produced a second yellow card for the highly-regarded marksmen.

Despite recording the victory, it leaves Main without their key centre forward at the business end of the league season.

Houghton Main Team: Sam Leigh, Aaron Tate, Jack Waldron, Carlton Dickinson, Craig Pickerill, Daniel Monfredi, Scott James, Adam Stead, Luke Sykes, Shann Mitchell, Jake Simon. Subs: Steve Clayton, Luke Bamford, Ashley Emmett, Ashley Vickers, Daryl Smith.

Swallownest Miners Welfare Team: Andrew Naylor, Daniel Archbold, Ross Edwards, Michael Wade, Kieran Hemming, Steven Bates, Michael Briggs, Ashley Atkins, Jason Short, Alex Nightingale, Richard Williams. Subs: Nathan Morrits, Josh Batham.

Davy FC 0-3 Penistone Church

16th February 2013: County Senior League

Two goals from Alyvn Riley and one from Mark Crossfield kept Penistone Church just three points behind league leaders Houghton Main in the race for the title, defeating Davy FC 3-0.

Riley opened the scoring from the spot after Liam Beresford’s poorly timed foul on Mitch Savage as the midfielder was bearing down on goal. The confident Penistone forward then struck the resulting spot-kick into the bottom left corner, as goalkeeper Daniel Robinson dived the wrong way.

Riley then doubled his and Penistone’s scoring account when a through ball from Crossfield early in the second half found Riley, who timed his run to perfection and slid the ball past the goalkeeper from the resulting one-on-one.

The scoring was complete by Penistone when Riley turned provider. His cross from the left was headed down by Danny Joynes at the far post, sending the ball across the face of goal and Crossfield was able to force it across the line from close range.

Davy FC had chances to mount a comeback, but Daniel Curtis was denied by the post and skipper Brad Hansen hit the crossbar.

In the opening stages chances were scarce. But with Penistone dominate in possession, the first opportunity fell surprisingly to Davy, however Chris Ashton’s long-range effort was comfortably saved by Aaron Pratt.

Following an advantage played by the referee for an earlier foul, Beresford’s mistimed challenge on Savage was clumsy. Riley’s placed the resulting penalty low and powerfully into the bottom corner of the goal, deceiving the Davy goalkeeper.

Penistone could have doubled their tally before half-time. However Dunran Richards’ corner could only be headed wide by Andy Hawksworth. Whilst at the other end, Sam Day’s long-range effort from the right went just over.

The second half proved a more entertaining affair, beginning from the early exchanges when Savage’s half-volley was comfortably saved by Pratt. Luke Johnson’s effort for Davy from the edge of the area was then sent wide.

When Penistone finally grabbed a second through Riley, they looked as though they might extend their lead further as Davy crumbled. Crossfield found himself one-on-one just past the hour mark, however following good pressure from the Davy defence, his effort was easily saved by Robinson.

It wasn’t long after until they found a third. Neat play between Riley and Joynes to find Crossfield, who made up for his miss minutes earlier.

Less than two minutes later Daniel Curtis struck the left-hand post with a shot from the edge of the box. Riley, searching his hat-trick, sent a long-range strike over the bar; whilst Ryan Hardman’s free-kick for Davy was saved by Pratt.

Riley’s effort proved to be his last of the game, as he was replaced by Jack Moore, who nearly scored instantly but he couldn’t connect to George Orrell’s low cross. Then a swift attack from Davy resulted in Hansen’s header cannoning back off the crossbar from a deep cross.

As the woodwork was struck for a second time, it looked that Davy’s luck was out, but it was no better at this stage for Penistone. First Lewis Dickinson crossed to Orrell, only for the substitute to send over at the far post with the goalkeeper beaten. Then within a minute a similar scenario, Andy Hawksworth’s cross from the right finding an off-balance Dickinson, whose shot also cleared the bar.

In stoppage time Liam Beresford’s cross found Hardman, however Pratt was able to turn the shot around the post, to keep his clean sheet intact.

Davy FC Team: Daniel Robinson, Liam Beresford, Josh Vice, Nathen Slatier, Brad Hansen (captain), Luke Johnson, Chris Ashton, Marcus Graham, Ryan Hardman, Sam Day, Daniel Curtis. Subs: Darren Robinson, Liam Allott, Jack Hilrey, Dion Harrison, Luke Jerrison

Penistone Church: Aaron Pratt, Andy Hawksworth, Danny Howes, Ash Ellis, Jake Bellamy, John Whitehead, Dunran Richards, Mitch Savage, Mark Crossfield, Danny Joynes, Alvyn Riley. Subs: Scott Briggs, Lewis Dickinson, Jack Moore, George Orrell.

Houghton Main 0-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels Reserves

Despite dominance before the break, Steels needed to wait until just after the hour mark to take the lead. Charlie Stewart headed the ball across the face of goal, the keeper stayed rooted to the spot and Joe Jackson was able to volley the ball into the net from close range at the far post.

With five minutes remaining of the game, the scoreline was doubled. Stewart again was the architect with an early cross which was met by the head of Ryan MacDonald who gave goalkeeper Sam Leigh no chance.

When Jackson sprinted past Houghton defender Scott James, it looked set to become three, but Leigh pulled off a fine save to tip the ball around the post from the opening goalscorer’s one-on-one, in the closing stages.

Park Steels always looked the most likely side to score, and had started brightly when Luke Townsend’s shot was deflected over after seven minutes. Shortly afterwards, Elliott Simpson’s cross found Jordan Bethel, who played the ball into the penalty area, but Jackson was denied by the keeper after receiving the ball with his back to goal.

Charlie Stewart had several long-range attempts throughout the match, met with comfortable saves by Leigh. And MacDonald may feel he could have done better when losing his marker from Bethel’s corner, but sending the resulting free-header over the crossbar.

It was the same combination moments later when Bethel’s corner found MacDonald whose flick header flashed wide of goal, much to the relief of Leigh.

Luke Townsend attempted a spectacular long-range thunderbolt midway through the first half, but the Main stopper was up to the test.

After Matthew Wilson’s poor punch out at the start of the second half, it was Houghton who had the best chance to take the lead, but after the ball fell kindly to him, Shann Mitchell could only send the ball wide. They were punished for the miss soon after, as Stocksbridge took the lead through Jackson’s finish.

Main battled bravely for an equaliser, but Luke Sykes’ header was saved; substitute Ashley Emmett and Sykes sent long range efforts high and wide; and Adam Stead headed wide. Minutes after this latest effort, Main were punished with Steels’ crucial second courtesy of MacDonald.

The hosts never threatened after this and can be thankful that Leigh’s superb late effort kept the deficit to just two with his strong late save.

Houghton Main Team: Sam Leigh, Scott James, Jack Waldron, Carlton Dickinson, Craig Pickerill, Daniel Monfredi, Adam Stead, Luke Sykes, Daryl Smith, Jake Simon. Substitutes: Steve Clayton, Luke Bamford, Matt Outram, Aaron Tate, Ashley Emmett.

Stocksbridge Park Steels Reserves Team: Matthew Wilson, Elliott Simpson, Jordan Bethel, Ryan MacDonald, Tom Cadzow, Tom Jones, Callum Pinhorn, Luke Townsend, Thomas Nurney, Joe Jackson, Charlie Stewart. Substitutes: Jack Whitehouse, Lewis Shaw, John Beggs.

Millmoor Juniors 3-2 AFC Emley Reserves

Millmoor Juniors made up for their County Senior League Cup defeat at Ecclesfield Red Rose last weekend by reaching the quarter-finals of the Rosehill Press Association Challenge Cup, and ended AFC Emley’s run in the competition.

The game got off to a flying start when careless Millmoor defending presented Matthew Semley with a chance after just seven seconds; however his one-on-one was denied by goalkeeper Ben Brunt.

It took just seven minutes for the game’s opening goal, scored by Millmoor Juniors. Liam Royles crossed for Martin Jones, who got a lucky bounce off the defender, and sent the ball low into the bottom right corner after tricking Paul Day into diving the wrong way.

It didn’t take long for Emley to grab an equaliser. Juniors failed to clear the ball, with Semley making up for his earlier miss by collecting the loose ball and rounding the goalkeeper before finding the net after 16 minutes.

The majority of good chances during the match seemed to end up in the back of the net, and this continued to be the case when Liam Royles played a delightful through-ball for Robert Hayes who controlled the ball, rounded the goalkeeper and netted from a tight angle, sending Juniors 2-1 ahead.

Martin Jones potentially could have extended Juniors’ lead when he lifted the ball over Danny Riley and sprinted past the defender to continue his run. But when bearing down on Day, the striker opted to pass and Chris Sansom beat the onrushing attacker to clear the ball behind for a corner.

At the other end Emley’s Matthew Sykes blasted a long-range effort over the crossbar as the half looked to end with Juniors in front. This proved not to be the case. Semley found space on the left and played in a low cross which was controlled by Jonny Irving’s feet and blasted promptly into the top corner from very close range.

Spectators might have thought that the late first-half equaliser might have revitalised Emley, but this proved untrue. Hayes sent an effort into the goalkeeper’s gloves as second-half chances became even scarcer than they had been prior to the interval.

Eyebrows might have been raised after Martin Barnfield’s decision to substitute goalscorer Robert Hayes with twenty minutes remaining; however his decision to replace him with Kane Tomlinson looked to be justified with a goal shortly after. As extra-time loomed Lee Williams whipped in a free-kick, which was met by Dean Smith who looped his header into the far corner to send Juniors 3-2 up.

Emley battled for an equaliser, but it never came. Joe Muxworthy headed over from a Curtis Roberts corner which was the nearest chance in the closing stages. Whilst Dean Smith sent an effort wide at the opposite end of the pitch as they grabbed the narrowest of victories.

The 3rd round had been the furthest Millmoor Juniors had reached in the competition, and they will believe they have the ability to progress even further.

Millmoor Juniors Team: Ben Brunt, Lee Williams, Glyn Nicolson, Liam Royles, Jordan Lowe, Richard Pierpoint, Craig Cooke, Dean Smith, Martin Jones, Robert Hayes, Lee Jordan. Substitutes: Kane Tomlinson, Danny Ramsden, Michael Clarke, Andy Haythorne.

AFC Emley Reserves Team: Paul Day, Chris Sansom, Gareth Moxan, Mathew Sykes, Michael O’Brien, Danny Riley, Curtis Roberts, Jack Storrie, Jack Portman, Jonny Irving, Matthew Semley. Substitutes: Max Joice, Joe Muxworthy, Joe Howson.

Ecclesfield Red Rose 3-1 Millmoor Juniors

Saturday 1^st December 2012, County Senior League Cup, 3^rd Round

An inspired second half substitution gave County Senior League Premier Division strugglers Ecclesfield Red Rose a rare victory and progress them into the Quarter Finals of the County Senior League Cup, at the expense of Millmoor Juniors.

With the score line goalless at the break after a balanced first period, it took less than seven minutes of the second half before the deadlock was broken, when Ryan Radford slotted the ball through to Wesley Bamford who beat two Juniors defenders and slotted the ball past Ben Brunt.

It wasn’t long before the Rotherham outfit were level. Jordan Lowe’s cross resulted in Robert Hayes rising higher than the Red Rose defence and bullet the header into the back of the net, just after the hour mark.

But then substitute Zac-Fleming Wright made the vital difference. A fabulous off-the-ball sprint by the Ecclesfield man, as the ball was played down the left from D’Ray Williams to Bamford, who whipped in a delicate cross which was met by the head of the replacement at the far post.

As play was stretched in the closing stages, Juniors threw men forward in the hope of an equaliser, but were punished for having too few defenders back. D’Ray Williams played in Billy Rowley who toyed with the short-numbered Juniors defence before sliding the ball through to another substitute Liam Boswell who broke the offside trap and slotted in his one-on-one beyond the bemused Brunt.

In a first half where clear-cut chances were scarce, it was Red Rose who controlled the early stages. The first opportunity of the game saw Josh Corker’s long-range effort go high and wide after three minutes. Soon after a D’Ray Williams header resulted in a comfortable save from Brunt.

It took until the eleventh minute for Juniors to have their first chance, a cheeky lob from Liam Royles was caught by goalkeeper Richard Radford. This looked to spring Juniors into life, Royles and Dean Smith had half-chances from headers, saved and sent over the crossbar, respectively. This was before Hayes would have felt he could have done better when he lost his marker but a poor header was gathered comfortably. Juniors had the final half-chance of the opening forty-five, but Lee Jordan, dressed in Millmoor’s luminous yellow away strip, would have felt he could have executed a brighter final ball, and the Red Rose goalkeeper collected the over-hit pass into his palms.

Both sides came out for the second half with more energy, as Royles sent an effort wide on 47 minutes, prior to Ecclesfield’s opener at the opposite end of the pitch. Rowley’s effort for Red Rose was then thwarted by Brunt.

Supporters may have felt Ecclesfield had passed up a golden opportunity. Williams found space in the Millmoor box but instead of slotting the one-on-one beyond the goalkeeper, which would have doubled Red Rose’s lead, he opted to find Bamford, but Brunt rushed to gather the ball at the feet of the first goalscorer.

Shortly after the equaliser, the best save of the game was produced. Royles’ shot looked destined for the top right, only for him to find it spectacularly denied by Red Rose’s Radford.

Juniors must have began to fancy their chances at this stage. They kept on the offensive and James Martin’s header sprang against the post from Dean Smith’s cross.

But Ecclesfield were rejuvenated by these missed chances, as Junior’s heads began to drop. Zac-Fleming Wright half-volleyed Billy Rowley’s layoff wide of the post, before D’Ray Williams sent a long-range effort wide with twenty minutes remaining.

Millmoor Juniors’ created little within the closing quarter. Robert Hayes’ powerful shot, which was caught by the keeper, was the closest they came; that before Zac-Fleming found the crucial finish which sent Ecclesfield 2-1 up. With two minutes remaining Liam Boswell nearly found a third, but the stretched Millmoor defence escaped temporarily as he sent it wide. But in stoppage time Boswell found the ball at his feet from Williams’ ball to complete the scoring.

Despite battling at the foot of the table, Ecclesfield will be delighted with the cup run and undoubtedly will see themselves with a good chance of going all the way.

Ecclesfield Red Rose Team: Richard Radford, Jake Slater, Ryan Radford, Ben Sanderson, Ben Brown, Ryan Keeney, Josh Corker, Billy Rowley, D’Ray Williams, Harry O’Neil, Wesley Bamford. Substitutes: Zac-Fleming Wright, Zarik Akran, Jake Ford, Liam Boswell, Ben Webster

Millmoor Juniors Team: Ben Brunt, Lloyd Gelsthorpe, Steve Bayston, Liam Royles, Jordan Lowe, Lee Williams, Craig Cooke, Dean Smith, Martin Jones, Robert Hayes, Lee Jordan. Substitutes: Ryan-Glyn Nicholson, Andy Haythorne, Michael Clarke