Cheshire Sunday Cup 4th Round
Cale Green 1 Pack Horse 3
Pack Horse made history as they became the first team since Crown Villa in the late 90's from the Macclesfield and District Sunday League to qualify for the quarter finals of the Cheshire Sunday Cup where they will play Rudheath Social FC who currently lie second in the Mid Cheshire Sunday Premier League.
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| Dave Hancox heads home to make it 2-1 |
Cale Green, on paper looked tough opposition. Unbeaten so far this season with five wins and two draws in their domestic league and containing ex Macclesfield Town star Martin McDonald they went into the tie as favourites but Packhorse had pitch advantage as depite this being Cale’s home fixture their Cheadle Hulme ground was deemed unplayable and the tie was switched back to Pack Horse’s Mary Dendy Fields.
It was a cautious start by both sides but despite Pack Horse having a valid penalty appeal turned down after a blatant hand ball it was Cale who created the best chances and it was they who took the lead on eighteen minutes Paul Robinson hooking the ball home from close range. Pack however, always looked dangerous on the break with Nick Stone and Andy Quigley winning possession in midfield and releasing the pacey Dave Hancox and Lee Malkin down the flanks .On the half hour they deservedly equalised through Lee Malkin. Andy Quigley had a low shot well saved five minutes before the interval but back came Cale. Jason Knight denied Martin McDonald , one of several outstanding first half saves made by the Pack Horse stopper.In such a close tie the next goal was crucial and ten minutes in to the second half it duely arrived , Dave Hancox heading home from six yards. Packhorse were jubilant and barely two minutes later they scored again, another header, this time by centre half Andy Forbes who rose unchallenged to head home.
The turning point in the game came with twenty minutes remaining as referee Richard Bartlett awarded Cale a penalty and a lifeline back into the game. It wasn’t to be – Jason Knight making a tremendous save diving low to his right to turn the ball wide.-
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| Andy Forbes makes it 3-1 two minutes later |
It was an excellent team effort from the Pack and they thoroughly deserved their victory..now they go into uncharted territory- the quarter finals!!.
