Macc & District FA Sunday Cup
(sponsored by Gradus Ltd )
Action from Sunday’s Semi Final
Alderley Royal Oak 4 Oxfford 1
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| Oxfford team photo |
Alderley Royal Oak made it an all East Cheshire Sunday league final as they defeated Oxfford in a entertaining encounter at Congleton Towns’ Booth Street Ground in glorious spring sunshine. The game got off to a blistering start with both sides having chances in the opening minute .Oxfford should have opened the scoring but a smart save from keeper Mike Ratican denied them . His quick throw out found midfielder Joe Ingham who’s ball over the top released Andy Hurst who slotted the ball home to give Royal Oak a 1-0 lead with only thirty five seconds on the clock. Oxfford were stunned but came back immediately with captain Carl McCurrie going close.
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| Dave Billington is sent crashing |
On fifteen minutes Oxfford were level. McCurrie made it eight goals in the competition this season from the penalty spot after Dave Billington, in mid dribble, was dumped unceremoniously to the floor by the combined efforts of Zeki Istanbul and James Ingham. Referee Peter Lloyd was left with absolutely no choice but to award a spot kick .
Oxfford continued to attack and forced a series of corners but poor delivery cost them and minutes later it advantage Royal Oak as it was they who took the lead on twenty eight minutes. You had to feel for Oxfford keeper Harry Shatwell who was finally beaten at the third attempt after making two world class saves, first some how palming away an Andy Hurst header from point blank range , then blocking a goal bound shot from Scott McGowan . It was left to Chris McCabe to finally beat Shatwell as the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area and his half volley found the net through a crowd of players with the keeper unsighted .
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| Mike Ratican in goal for Alderley Royal Oak |
On thirty four minutes Royal Oak had the chance to extend their lead as referee Lloyd awarded his second penalty of the game having spotted a handball . Andy Hurst stepped up but could only watched open mouthed as his penalty sent Shatwell the wrong way but then rebounded to safety off the foot of the post. It was just the tonic Oxfford needed just before half time but it appeared to have the opposite effect . Injury to right back Chris Mason forced a defensive reshuffle in the second half but that aside the second half was one way traffic and belonged to Alderley .Substitute Duncan Warrender was unstoppable as he ran at Oxfford’s depleted defence to set up Scott McGowan to make it 3-1 and eleven minutes from the end McGowan wrapped up the tie with his second and send them to the final at the Moss Rose on 9th May .
