Marine 3 Cables 1
Unibond League Challenge Cup 3rd Round
Tuesday 13 November 2007
Business as usual in Crosby. This cup tie saw a first team debut for 17 year old Francis Woolvine who had previously been playing in the reserves.Prescot made a very bright start with their pacy forward line.
Regular visitors to the Arriva Stadium have seen this scenario before. It was Marine that blew the first chance of scoring when interplay between Towey and Lock found the latter with only Mottram to beat. Lock ballooned the ball into the night sky.
A swift break by Cables saw Ryan Wade and then seconds later Shaun Tierney with efforts that just cleared the crossbar. The next opportunities of scoring fell to these two again with shots being saved and crashing into the side netting.
Cables finally made this pressure pay when a piercing ball from Wade enabled Lynch to outpace his marker. He clinically slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. The Mariners did not have to wait too long to level the scores. O'Donnell was allowed to collect the ball in space and he chose his spot to beat Richie Mottram.
The Prescot keeper came to his teams rescue when he managed to block an attempt that should have resulted in the home side taking the lead. Eammon Price and Darren Byers were introduced to the game after the interval that saw Cables forcing the early pace. It was Marine that nearly scored again following a quickly taken free kick. O'Donnell's header faded across Mottram and inches past the far post.
The referee did his best to spoil what was a free flowing game with the odd rash challenge throw-in. It was his decision to harshly penalise McEwen that presented Marine with the chance to take the lead. O'Donnell was positioned well to receive a header and he made
no mistake with a coolly taken volley that looped over Mottram.
Prescot was still looking dangerous in attack. Price's nimble turn caused Marine to back peddle. It was unfortunate that Tierney failed to notice Gavin Lynch's run into the box unmarked. The ball broke to Byers who, from an acute angle, found the side netting.The referee seemed to lose the plot' after Colin Flood was cautioned for a foul. As the free kick was about to be taken, he tussled with O'Donnell. The assistant drew Mr Green's attention to the incident.
Colin Flood then received a second yellow in the space of 30 seconds. O'Donnell also followed the Cables player to the dressing room. The referee was then unsure whether the Marine striker had already received a yellow. Spectators witnessed a confused picture as O'Donnell returned onto the pitch as players from both teams crowded the official. Eventually having consulted his other assistant, the referee waved O'Donnell from the field of play, and he trudged towards the exit. A minute later Marine secured their passage to the 4th round when Towey's shot was deflected past a stranded Mottram.
Man of the Match: Shaun Tierney
Cables: Mottram, Molyneux, Flood, McEwen, Bell, Moore, Lynch, Tierney, Woolvine, Wade, McNutt. Subs: Price (for McNutt), Byers (for
Woolvine), Freeman (for Tierney)
Cables are at home to Stamford on Saturday 24th November, 3.00 pm kick-off.
Whitby Town 3 Prescot Cables 3
Saturday 17 November 2007
Whitby’s current record suggested that this Unibond Premier League match would not finish goal-less. It took only 3 minutes for Charlton to open the scoring for the Seasiders despite a last ditch challenge from Vinnie Freeman.
Prescot was struggling to cope with the Whitby attacks. Defensive blunders gifted Gildea with a strike on goal that increased the home sides lead on 27 minutes.
Cables had chances against an uncertain Whitby defence but were unable to capitalise – Colin Flood with a speculative 30 yard that whistled past the post the nearest effort.
After the break a clumsy challenge by Karl Bell resulted in Gordon’s free kick flying into the net via the post.
A three nil score line would normally mean the end. On 63 minutes Karl Bell’s prod from a corner found the net and this lifted Prescot whilst Whitby lost their way. A quick corner caught Whitby asleep that resulted in substitute Byers heading in after 71 minutes from Tierney’s fierce cross.
An ugly incident and free-for-all enraged the home crowd. This incident diminished Prescot’s momentum. In the 91st minute, however, Prescot drove forward again and forced another corner that was converted by Byers to complete a remarkable recovery.
A busy week ahead with Cables entertaining Blue Square North opposition Burscough in the 2nd Round of the Liverpool Senior Cup on Tuesday 20 November beginning at 7.45 pm. On Saturday 24 November Stamford are the visitors to Valerie Park, starting at 3pm in the Unibond Premier League.
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