Springboard to FA Cup goal hero ... but Richard’s effort in vain

CUP OF DREAMS: Richard Bennett celebrates after scoring against Northampton Town.

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OLDHAMER Richard Bennett and his Northwich Victoria side came agonisingly close to shocking Sky Bet League Two side Northampton Town.

But it turned out to be a bitter-sweet day for the 24 year old. With his side 2-0 up with seven minutes left, the Cobblers turned the second-round tie on its head with three quick-fire goals!

Derker-based Bennett, who scored his side’s second goal with a header, said: “It was a bit surreal, but I wasn’t surprised at the lead because we outplayed them for 80 minutes. Their substitutions made a difference and I was gutted, I just couldn’t believe it.

“A replay would have been good, but I still think we did enough to win the game.

“I scored a couple of goals in the earlier stages, but to score against Northampton in the second round was brilliant.”

It was at the-then Boundary Park that Bennett’s footballing career began. The striker spent four years there from the age of 10 before being released to join the youth set-up at Springhead. He made his first team debut in the Manchester League two years later at 16.

After leaving Springhead, Bennett had successful spells with Mossley and Ashton United and it was from there that he joined Northwich in the Evo-Stik League Division One North.

Bennett retains a lot of affection for Springhead, who revitalised his career after his release from Athletic: “I have a lot of close mates and they always will be,” he said.