Match of the week: Poulton (Under-16) 5 Kirkham (Under-16) 3
Poulton ghostbusters
THE ghosts of Accrington returned to haunt Poulton in a suspense-packed Hogan Cup tie, but the home side conquered their demons.
Accrington recovered from a 3-0 half-time deficit to knock Poulton out of this season’s Lancashire FA Cup and history looked like repeating itself as visitors Kirkham bridged the same three-goal gap to force extra-time at Cottam Hall.
Indeed, Kirkham manager Paul Martland was well aware of their opponents’ Stanley nightmare and used it give his troops hope during the half-time team talk ... and it did the trick as the visitors launched a gallant fightback.
However, Poulton were equally determined that lightning should not strike them twice and they managed to recharge their batteries to seal the tie in extra-time with a Ben Brindle brace.
The howling wind was a forceful factor in this game of two halves and Poulton knew they had to make the most of the elements in the first half.
And they did just that as two goals by Dominic Garrett put Poulton in the driving seat.
The narrow pitch at Cottam Hall made long throws a deadly weapon and a mighty throw into the box by Jake Barnes resulted in Garrett firing the first after 15 minutes.
Garrett doubled his tally 10 minutes later, when he got on the end of Brindle’s corner to score from close range.
The third 10 minutes before the break was the pick of Poulton’s first half trio. A good build-up took play into the Kirkham area, and although the ball was partially cleared Henry Cowan fired home from 20 yards.
Despite the half-time deficit, Kirkham knew a goal soon after the break would give them a fighting chance and they duly scored one.
Sam Yates was the man perfectly placed to give the visitors a lifeline, and when Craig Burke reduced the deficit to one it was well and truly game on.
The second-half was marred by an ugly incident, which resulted in lost tempers on both sides.
However, Kirkham regained their composure to pull level. As with Poulton, the third was the pick of their goals, a rasping free-kick from Ross Ainsworth with 10 minutes left.
The key spell of the match was perhaps the first period of extra-time in which Poulton, despite playing against the wind, managed to edge ahead 4-3.
They had some good fortune, though as Kirkham’s Jack Cookson powered a header against the bar and Yates was denied his second goal by the woodwork. Yet the elements did not stop the home side putting a neat passing move together, which ended with Brindle firing into the bottom corner.
And it was Brindle who completed the job in the second period, converting a penalty awarded for handball.
Kyle Stephens impressed in the Poulton midfield alongside the outstanding Adam Marshall, while Garrett’s goals rewarded a determined display of hard graft.
Poulton boss Michael Beckett now sees his side as genuine double contenders.
He said: “I told the players that if they got through this tie they could go all the way to Bloomfield Road.
“I think Kirkham are one of the hardest teams to beat. The main threat now probably comes from Foxhall but we have already beaten them twice this season.”
In the league, second-placed Foxhall may be eight points behind Clifton but they have a game in hand on the leaders and still have to face them twice.
Kirkham manager Paul Martland could not separate goalscorer Yates and hard-working midfielder Ross Ainsworth in the man of the match stakes, though he was pleased with all his players.
However, Martland reckons that his side’s customary good runs in the Lancashire FA Cup – they were quarter-finalists this season – cost them in other competitions as the season wears on.
THE MANAGERS’ MATCH VERDICT
MICHAEL BECKETT (Poulton)
WE dominated with the wind in the first half and the ball was in their half most of the time, but it was a different story after the break. It was all Kirkham second half but we came back strongly in extra-time.
PAUL MARTLAND (Kirkham)
We didn’t come out of the traps until after half-time but we had our chances to win it, though a good game was tainted by the incident in the second half. The penalty was cruel because 5-3 was not a fair reflection.
MEN OF THE MATCH
ADAM MARSHALL (Poulton)
THE tough-tackler won plenty of possession in central midfield. He gave a commanding display of graft and stamina.
ROSS AINSWORTH, SAM YATES (Kirkham)
the manager was unable to split hard-working goalscorer Yates and left-sided midfielder Ainsworth, who ran tirelessly throughout and also found the net.
Visit Photostoday.co.uk to buy photos.
Email us and tell us about your stories!
|
|
