’Keeper is cup hero for Royton

ON THE ATTACK: Springhead’s Matthew Russell, with a plaster on his nose, tries to shrug off a Royton opponent.

Springhead 0, Royton Town 0

(Town win 3-2 on penalties)

ROYTON Town are through to the semi-finals of the Manchester League’s Gilgryst Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Springhead.

Marc Howard, son of the Town boss, was the star of that shoot-out, saving three of the Springhead spot-kicks, including the decisive one by stopping Matthew Russell’s shot.

It was a fantastic week cup-wise for Town as Mark Howard’s confidence-fuelled side also reached the final of the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield with a 2-1 win at Poulton. Town will now play Blackpool Wren Rovers in the show-piece final at the Lancashire FA ground at Leyland on Thursday, April 21.

The weather relented enough to ensure a home game at last at Ashfield Crescent, and a sizeable crowd were there with their appetites whetted for a classic derby encounter.

This wasn't always the case in an often dour 90 minutes, with both sides keen to avoid defeat.

Town’s best chance fell to Dean after five minutes, but he dragged his effort wide from just inside the penalty area. And so to penalties – no extra-time – with Howard junior again showing his worth between the sticks.