Mid-Cheshire Cup Semi-Final - Winsford United 0 Northwich V. 1
Thu 19th March 2015 | Winsford United | By Ian Templeman
Winsford United's hopes of retaining the Mid-Cheshire Cup were ended by Northwich Victoria in a close fought game at the Barton Stadium.
A second half goal from Gary Burnett was the difference between the two sides, ironically the second time in the space of nine days that Burnett has dashed the cup hopes of an NWCFL club in a County Cup competition.
Last week, Burnett's winner at Booth Street sent Congleton Town to defeat in the Cheshire Senior Cup, and his 56th minute strike at the Barton Stadium clinched a second cup final place for Vics, and earned revenge for their defeat in the final at the hands of the Blues two years ago.
Neither side created many chances over the course of the 90 minutes, with Winsford's best chance of the first half falling to Kyle Riley late on, who screwed his shot wide from a tight angle.
The goal that proved to be decisive arrived eleven minutes into the second half, when Gary Burnett got away from his marker to put Vics ahead from close range after a great cross into the box from Reece Fishwick.
Winsford's efforts to get back into the game were restricted mainly to a series of corner kicks, while at the other end Blues' keeper Jason Lloyd - son of the former West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd - who was deputising for the injured regular keeper Conor O'Keefe, was rarely troubled by the Vics attack.
Seven minutes from time, Vics did have a let off when a free kick from Winsford's Matt Tierney cannoned off the crossbar, but the visitors held on to clinch a place in the final.
Winsford's Assistant Secretary Steve Wright said: "It wasn't a great game to watch, and there wasn't much in the way of clear cut chances. Our goalkeeper was never really troubled.
"Our problem recently has been that we have been going through a phase where we just can't score goals, and unfortunately that carried on into this game. Hopefully we can put that right against St Helens Town on Saturday".
Mid-Cheshire Cup Semi-Final - Winsford United 0 Northwich V. 1
Thu 19th March 2015 | Winsford United
By Ian Templeman
Winsford United's hopes of retaining the Mid-Cheshire Cup were ended by Northwich Victoria in a close fought game at the Barton Stadium.
A second half goal from Gary Burnett was the difference between the two sides, ironically the second time in the space of nine days that Burnett has dashed the cup hopes of an NWCFL club in a County Cup competition.
Last week, Burnett's winner at Booth Street sent Congleton Town to defeat in the Cheshire Senior Cup, and his 56th minute strike at the Barton Stadium clinched a second cup final place for Vics, and earned revenge for their defeat in the final at the hands of the Blues two years ago.
Neither side created many chances over the course of the 90 minutes, with Winsford's best chance of the first half falling to Kyle Riley late on, who screwed his shot wide from a tight angle.
The goal that proved to be decisive arrived eleven minutes into the second half, when Gary Burnett got away from his marker to put Vics ahead from close range after a great cross into the box from Reece Fishwick.
Winsford's efforts to get back into the game were restricted mainly to a series of corner kicks, while at the other end Blues' keeper Jason Lloyd - son of the former West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd - who was deputising for the injured regular keeper Conor O'Keefe, was rarely troubled by the Vics attack.
Seven minutes from time, Vics did have a let off when a free kick from Winsford's Matt Tierney cannoned off the crossbar, but the visitors held on to clinch a place in the final.
Winsford's Assistant Secretary Steve Wright said: "It wasn't a great game to watch, and there wasn't much in the way of clear cut chances. Our goalkeeper was never really troubled.
"Our problem recently has been that we have been going through a phase where we just can't score goals, and unfortunately that carried on into this game. Hopefully we can put that right against St Helens Town on Saturday".
