On a cold, overcast and
cloudy afternoon we welcomed our 2nd round opponents in the Lancashire Youth
Cup Roach Dynamos to Tempest Road. Jack,
Bayley, Josh and Nathan started on the bench. Ladybridge almost opened the
scoring in the opening minute when our first corner was whipped in well by
Ollie only to see a shot from the edge of the box hit the bar and go out. Liam was looking lively working down the left
flank and when he was found well by Callum his attempted cross/shot effort
found the side netting after 10mins. Dynamos first offensive action came shortly
after when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out on the right hand side of
the box which the No 10 took, but his cross flew across the box and went
straight out for a throw in to Ladybridge. Clear-cut chances for either team were proving
to be something of a rarity in the first half with most offensive moves
breaking down before they could test either keeper. Dynamos were awarded a free kick with a minute
of the half remaining and from 25 yards out their No 10 pushed his shot wide
and right. Conor cleared the resulting
goal-kick up to the half way line and Tom did well to flick it forward towards
Taylor who made a direct and quick 25 yard run into the box. His powerful first
shot was parried well by the keeper but Taylor was quick to snaffle up the
loose ball and tuck it away to make it 1-0 to Ladybridge.
Half Time Ladybridge 1-0
Roach Dynamos.
Dynamos started the 2nd
half well and their dangerous No 16 made a great run down the right after a
couple of minutes and delivered a good cross to the No 4 on the edge of the box
and his shot on target was caught well by Conor. The No 16 would also test Conor a few minutes
later with a good attempt from 30 yards out which Conor dealt with well. Ladybridge were to go close themselves soon
after when a corner taken by Jack eventually found Taylor 10 yards out and his
shot was saved brilliantly by the keeper and pushed out for a corner. Their
keeper did well again a few minutes later, when a good pass forward by Jack on
halfway found Nathan who carried the ball for 25 yards before unleashing a good
shot that was saved well by the stretching Dynamos’ keeper. Our crucial 2nd goal came from a penalty that
was awarded to us after Taylor was upended in the box by the Roach No 6. Taylor
stepped up to take the penalty and tucked it into the bottom right hand corner
to make it 2-0 Ladybridge.
Dynamos had an excellent
chance to get a goal back when a free kick was lifted into the box and it took
a smart goal-line clearance by Matt to keep out a goal-bound effort from the
Dynamo attacker. The final goal of the game was a little bit special and really
killed off the opposition when Jack seized on a loose clearance by the Dynamos
defence and after a good run into the box he smashed an unstoppable effort high
into the roof of the net from an acute angle to make it 3-0 to Ladybridge.
Full Time:
Ladybridge 3-0 Roach Dynamos
Dynamos are a physical
and strong team that battled and fought for every ball this afternoon. Their No 16 is a very quick and accomplished
forward who gave our defenders plenty to do throughout the game. However, Dynamos goalkeeper was their man of
the match and pulled off some cracking saves and blocks to deny us a wider
margin of victory.
Ladybridge played well in
patches today but Dynamos managed to restrict our normal fluid passing game for
long periods. We have now set up an
intriguing 3rd round tie away at Bamber Bridge Blue who I know will provide us
with a severe test and battle that both teams, coaches and support will relish
next month.
Another Cup-tie next week
for the lads when we travel to De La Salle to contest the 1st round of the
Tameside Challenge Cup.
Gordon
