Chadds despair

Chaddertonians 3, Highgrove 4 aet

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: THE despair on the faces of the Chaddertonians players at the end of this epic Lancashire FA Sharrocks Amateur Cup quarter-final tie against Highgrove said it all.

With a 3-1 lead to defend at the start of the second half, Chadds somehow lost their way, allowing their North Lancashire League opponents to snatch a dramatic winner in the second period of extra-time.

Chadds’ secretary Keith Hanley said: “It was a knockout blow for us in every sense and the players were really down at the end.

“We reached the semi-final of this competition last season and I can only say that this time was just as disappointing.

“The league title is our priority now and if we can put a decent run together after Christmas then we will be in with a shout.”

Chadds started brightly enough, but found themselves trailing to a 12th-minute strike.

Staying positive and playing some fine football, Chadds forced themselves back into the game in scintillating fashion with three goals in a four-minute spell towards the end of the opening period.

It was 1-1 after 40 minutes when Mark Kearns converted a Gary Coombes cross from close range, followed by a similar goal from Steve Barrow moments minutes later after a precision pass from the outstanding Anthony Corlett.

And it was Barrow who made it 3-1 to Chadds with the first half coming to a close. He rounded two Highgrove players before finding the bottom corner of the net.

Hanley said: “We came under increasing pressure at the start of the second half but we were still looking the stronger side.

“Highgrove pulled a goal back after 55 minutes and then a mistake by our goalkeeper allowed them to get the equaliser with about 20 minutes to go.”

So to extra-time, and Hanley admitted that the Lancaster-based side finished much the stronger of the two teams.

Highgrove’s winner came early in the second period of extra-time to leave Chadds to reflect on what could have been.

CHADDERTONIANS: Jones, Pickup, Preston, D Ashworth, Kitson, Owen, Corlett, Massey, Kearns, Barrow, Coombes. Subs: M Ashworth, Hechem.