Foxhall so close in the final reckoning

Valiant Foxhall Under-14s narrowly lost the Lancashire Cup final to Blackburn side Knuzden after coming back from two goals down to force extra-time at Leyland.

Foxhall, who were cheered on by more than 300 travelling fans, lost out 3-2 despite doing their utmost to force an equaliser at the County Ground. The Blackpool and District Youth League side were without the influential Jordan Wood, while new recruit Joe Wheeler was ineligible. Knuzden made the brighter start and took the lead in the seventh minute with a shot that gave keeper James Gazey no chance.

Foxhall soon found themselves two behind when Gazey saved well only to see the rebound headed home.
The Blackpool side refused to allow their heads to drop and came back strongly as front two Ben Duffield and Joe Higgins both went close and Ollie Crolla saw a free-kick well saved. Matty Heys and Chris Walsh began to get the better of their markers, while Mark Shaw and Crolla passed well in midfield.

And it was Heys who finally got his side off the mark with an overhead kick shortly before half-time. Within 10 minutes of the restart the scores were level as Duffield rose to head home a cross by Walsh. The Foxhall rearguard of Sam Witter, Isaac Guy, John Winthrop and Fran Donaghy were now looking formidable and there only looked to be one likely winner.
But despite Higgins’ mazy runs and another dangerous Crolla free-kick which the keeper saved well, Foxhall could not score the goal to spare them the exertions of extra-time.

Donaghy was forced off with a calf injury and within a minute of restart Knuzden regained the lead within a minute, despite the best efforts of Gazey.
The Blackburn side spurned several chances to finish Foxhall off and almost regretted it as the Fylde side came back well in the second extra period. Richard James, Tyler Atack James Daley all came on as Foxhall threw everything at Knuzden in search of an equaliser. Crolla had one last chance with a free-kick but the keeper again claimed it well. Winthrop,Walsh,Heys and Gazey were all outstanding for Foxhall.