Bennett brace seals final spot

Photo: PICTURE: CHRIS SUNDERLAND.

CLOSE CONTROL . . . Springhead's Paul Stevenson is on the ball as Paul Caton (right), of East Manchester, closes in during the Gilgryst Cup semi-final clash.

FOOTBALL:

Springhead 3, East Manchester 1 (after extra-time)

SPRINGHEAD reached the final of the Gilgryst Cup for only the third time as a Manchester League club in dramatic circumstances at Ashfield Crescent.

Trailing 1-0 to a 61st-minute East Manchester strike, it took a Paul Stevenson spot-kick in the second minute of added time to take the semi-final tie to extra-time.

Two goals from the excellent Richard Bennett in the second half of extra-time sent Springhead through to the final at Hyde FC's ground on Thursday, May 10, where they will meet Stockport Georgians.

And no one is looking forward to the final more than Springhead manager Lee McAllister, who has his own reasons for wanting to claim a first ever Gilgryst Cup final success.

McAllister said: "I played at right back for Springhead the last time we got to the final about 10 years ago and it wasn't the happiest of memories as we lost 4-1 to Prestwich Heys.

"Hopefully this will be third time lucky. The players deserve a massive amount of credit, not only in this match but in the run we have been on. They never know when they're beaten.”

It was home-grown talent that saw Springhead into the final, Stevenson coolly keeping his nerve to fire home the decisive penalty, before the talented Bennett showed great awareness in front of goal with both his extra-time strikes.

Springhead have already taken four points from Stockport Georgians in the two league matches played this season, so the smart money will be on McAllister's side to win the cup.



RYAN Baldwin bagged an injury-time goal to book Chaddy End’s place in the final of the Manchester FA Sunday Cup.

The D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League side were heading for exit door against Middleton Colts.

Losing 1-0 with minutes to go, Alex Frost popped up with the equaliser. And Baldwin was in the right place at the right time to earn Chaddy a dramatic 2-1 win. They will play Langley Rangers in the final on April 13.