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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Jan 10, 2017 22:25:51 GMT
Made hard work of that 5-4 on pens - 2 saves from Ormson.
On we go.
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Jan 10, 2017 22:27:05 GMT
Plus full marks to Macca reporting on that Marathon. Safe journey home Young Man - beyond the call of duty.
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Post by bigfudge on Jan 10, 2017 23:53:35 GMT
Great game as far as entertainment goes! The first 15 minutes saw County, as they did at Boston, start on the front foot...with a few good runs and chances that were very well dealt with by the visitors defence. It wasn't until around 15 minutes or so that the breakthrough finally came...or so we thought, Amis brilliantly guided a header past the 'keeper but unfortunately the linesman had already raised his flag.
Though around 10 minutes later it really was 1-0 to County as Kaine Felix used an incredible burst of pace to beat the Winsford defence as he cut inside from the left and put it ball past the helpless goalie to give County a well deserved 1-0 lead. Only a few minutes later it could have been 2-0 as Felix again used his pace to get through on goal and despite looking to have been fouled twice by both the covering defender and the goalkeeper, despite it looking clear as day (I was sat directly in line with it so had a good view), the referee gave the decision to the visitors and to add insult to injury was booked for diving! Despite controlling the entire half at the end of the first 45 minutes Winsford did have a couple of half chances but Ian Ormson comfortably dealt with anything that flew his way as the half time score saw County with a well deserved 1-0 lead.
County made one sub at Half-Time with Jimmy Ball coming on to replace the largely ineffective Gary Stopforth. The Second Half continued in much the same vein as the First Half as they continued to pile pressure on the visitors goal but the Winsford defence and goalie showed some great awareness and commitment to keep the game in sight. County could consider themselves unlucky to only be 1 goal to the good, especially considering the Courtney Meppen-Walters had a similar attempt to his goal at Harrogate forcing the 'keeper into a decent, back-pedaling save as well as Amis hitting the post with a cheeky flick attempt on goal.
Eventually after just over an hour into the game, County did get their 2nd goal as a fantastic cross from John Marsden found Kaine Felix who easily slotted home for his second of the game. Just a few minutes later and Winsford, who had been second best all night, found themselves back in it after a beautiful goal saw the ball curl in beyond a stretching Ormson who could have done nothing to prevent it. Within another 5 or so minutes however, County restored their 2 goal cushion as Courtney Meppen-Walters finally got the goal he'd deserved for his play throughout the evening as he put the ball in from a corner.
County had so many chances following the 3rd goal to put the game to bed but couldn't take them as the Winsford backline really earned their pay cheque for the week. With just a few minutes left of the 90, Winsford managed to make County pay for switching off at the back as a well placed header eluded the hands of Ormson to set up a nervy finish for the 366 inside Edgeley Park. Seconds after kick-off Marsden hit the bar with a shot that would have surely guaranteed County's place in the Last 8. County were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as deep into added time the visitors managed to, massively against the the run of play, equalise through a well struck shot from inside the area meaning what looked like a routine win for the Hatters was going to extra time, as well as causing wild celebrations from their small but noisy band of travelling fans and a mini pitch invasion from their coaching staff and substitutes.
Despite tiring legs County still looked the better team and were creating the vast majority of the chances and it finally paid off a few minutes before half-time in Extra Time as John Marsden slotted the ball under the visiting 'keeper who had been so impressive through out. After 15 minutes of extra time, County led the thrilling encounter 4-3.
The Second Half of Extra Time was much more even than the rest of the game had been with Winsford giving as good as they got in the forwards department, though it was to be more late heartbreak for the Hatters as Winsford smashed a shot from distance against the woodwork only for one of their players to slot the loose ball into the net putting them back on level terms at 4-4 and ensuring this thrilling contest went to penalties.
County got off to the perfect start in the Penalty Shootout as Ian Ormson continued his good record of saving penalties by stopping the first Winsford penalty and also the first penalty of the shootout to give County the early advantage before Courtney Meppen-Walters scored his to give County a 1-0 lead. - Winsford scored their second penalty, as did Jimmy Ball for County making it 2-1 to County. - Winsford again kept the pressure on by scoring again, though County responded in kind through John Marsden making it 3-2 County. - Winsford scored again, this time however Max Cartwright became the first County player in the shoot-out to be stopped as after 4 penalties each the shoot-out was level at 3-3. - Winsford scored again to put Mark Ross in a sudden death situation, though the Captain put away the penalty nicely making it 4-4 after 5 penalties each. - Ian Ormson made himself the hero again as he saved the next penalty from the visitors giving Michael Clarke the chance to win the game for the hosts and putting themselves into the next round, which he did with ease to give County a fully deserved win and a place in the Quarter Finals of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
Overall a truly entertaining game and whilst justice prevailed in the end with the much superior Hatters finally claiming the victory, I want to give a lot of praise to Winsford who came to Edgeley Park to play a fairly strong County team from 3 divisions above them and defended like heroes, the took their very few chances brilliantly and did themselves and their league proud tonight.
I'd say my nominees for Man of the Match would be Kaine Felix for his 2 goals and brilliant running and generally making a nuisance of himself. Ian Ormson, playing in his first match in a couple of months, the young stopper looked in no way out of practice and made a couple of decent saves, none of the goals conceded were his fault and he was massive in the shoot-out, saving 2 penalties to help the Hatters to victory. Josh Amis, caused a lot of problems tonight running at the defence, holding the ball up well and generally causing problems for the visiting defence. Courtney Meppen-Walters, CMW was a rock in midfield tonight, nothing was getting past him and he could quickly and effectively transisition from a defensive mindset and position to an attacking on in seconds, as well as chipping in with a goal.
All in all any of them could have won Man of the Match, I eventually plumped for Kaine Felix.
Apologies for this report being so long, I started writing and sort of got lost in it!
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Post by another_ruined_saturday on Jan 11, 2017 0:42:02 GMT
excellent report fudge. thanks!
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Post by another_ruined_saturday on Jan 11, 2017 0:43:21 GMT
Apologies for this report being so long, I started writing and sort of got lost in it! yeah. i know that one! to be fair to you, you did have extra time and penalties to account for. well done on remembering it all!
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Post by gazz on Jan 11, 2017 0:44:20 GMT
Superb report, fudgie - much appreciated!
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Post by bigfudge on Jan 11, 2017 0:57:13 GMT
Apologies for this report being so long, I started writing and sort of got lost in it! yeah. i know that one! to be fair to you, you did have extra time and penalties to account for. well done on remembering it all! I actually made a few notes! Saddo, I know, but I assumed there wouldn't be many from Heaven going tonight, so felt it only fair!
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Post by gazz on Jan 11, 2017 1:45:32 GMT
yeah. i know that one! to be fair to you, you did have extra time and penalties to account for. well done on remembering it all! I actually made a few notes! Saddo, I know, but I assumed there wouldn't be many from Heaven going tonight, so felt it only fair! Not sad at all, mate, it's called being thorough!
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Post by dudleyhatter on Jan 11, 2017 6:45:19 GMT
Cheers fudge an excellent report on a game that sounds like a real Cup thriller.
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