WG Parr Trophy - 2009/2010 Sponsored by Westernsport Trophies of Chippenham

Third Round Results - Sunday 7 March 2010

PLEASE NOTE: CLUBS ARE RESPONSIBLE for alternative arrangements when a clash of fixture or venue occurs because of a ground sharing arrangement, and ALL matches MUST take place on set date. PLEASE start looking for an alternative venue now rather than leaving it until the last minute.

PLEASE NOTE: All cup games shall be played to a finish, if the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time will be played and if the score remains level after extra time the match shall be decided on Penalties.

WG Parr Trophy Report by Mr. M Schneider - Publications Secretary

Ashton beat cup holders to book semi-final berth

Westernsport Trophies-sponsored WG Parr Trophy holders AFC Melksham joined the list of sides who have been unable to go on and defend their crown. Melksham are bidding to become the first ever side since the introduction of the competition to the league programme in the 1974/75 to defend their title were beaten 2-0 at home by third division Steeple Ashton Rangers.

Ashton got out the traps quickly and Lee Hayward tricked his way through the defence only to shoot wide. The game then settled down a bit but it would be Ashton who would dominate. Despite Ashton's dominance they were being kept at bay by a stubborn Melksham defence who were reducing the visitors to half chances.

It was only towards the end of the half that saw a few chances fall Melksham’s way with Dan Barnett racing through for the hosts to try and square the ball which looked destined for an empty net only for Rangers defender Alistair Batchelor to make the last gasp interception.

Hayward had a strike saved after a neat turn but the deadlock was broken just before halftime when Phil Lewis' mazy run saw him upended in the box and the resulting Mike Ritson's spot kick went in off the post.

The game opened up a little in the second half but it was still Ashton creating a majority of the chances, Ritson’s volley going wide and a Lewis header was scrambled away at the back post. Melksham's Ashley Fletcher's cross was then deflected onto the post as the hosts looked to try and get back into the game.

A neat turn from Ashton’s debutant Sam Stevens saw him pulled back for the referee to award another spot kick. Ritson dispatched his second of the game with more certainty than the first.

Melksham almost got right back into the game but Barnett's effort was well saved by 'keeper Nathan Holloway's legs. Hayward then almost grabbed a goal but after latching on to a through ball his shot was trickling in after going through the 'keepers legs only for Adam Crook to race back and clear the ball of the line.

The game almost had a fascinating climax but Melksham’s Barnett put the ball over the top when one on one. In the dying moments Matt Bailey's effort was well saved by Lee Goodchild in the Melksham goal but come the final Whistle, Ashton had done enough to set up a semi-final meeting with third division stable mates FC Jager.

Atworth United 4, AFC Bell 9 aet

Before their meeting with first division Atworth United Gary Campbell’s division two outfit AFC Bell had been installed as favourites to claim cup glory this term but at half time against Atworth they looked to be heading out of the competition as they trailed 3-1, but despite falling further behind they hit back to claim a 9-4 extra time win.
Scott Boyd gave Atworth a great start but they were pegged back by Luke Enderby who was to on and prove to be Bell’s match winner. Phil Strange restored Atworth’s lead and when Imran Shawish made it 3-1 Bell looked dead and buried and things went from bad to worse for the Devizes based side when a second from Shawish gave Atworth a 4-1 advantage.

Then came the turning point of the game when Atworth’s manager Phil Strange got himself sent off and from then on Bell seized their chance and with 15 minutes remaining started their fight back, a second from Enderby narrow the gap and with five minutes left Craig Townsend set up a grand finale and the game was taken to extra time when Enderby made it four apiece with his third of the morning.

An undermanned Atworth side had no answer to a now rampant Bell side in added time. Craig Townsend put them ahead for the first time in the tie and from then on it was one way traffic as Bell scored at will, Gary Campbell made it 6-4. Damian Plunkett added number seven before two more goals from Luke Enderby which took his tally for the game to five sealed the remarkable win. Bell will now host Audley FC in a semi-final showdown between the second division stable mates.

Audley FC 5, Foresters Arms 2 aet

Audley FC made the most of their second chance of cup glory by beating first division Foresters Arms 5-2 after extra time. Second division Audley who were beaten 4-3 by fourth division Gladstone Rovers in the previous round were given a second bite of the cherry after Gladstone were removed from the quarter-finals for fielding an ineligible player in their win over the Audley.

Audley led 2-0 at one stage thanks to goals from Craig Manley and Adam O’Keeffe but a Tom Bentley goal saw Foresters go in at the break trailing by the odd goal. Jamie Treweke got Foresters back on level terms to take the game in an added 30 minutes which saw Foresters run out of steam as Audley made the most of some poor defending to claim victory.

Mark Nolan reclaimed the lead for Audley and Chris Yeo give them a two goal cushion when he scored from the penalty spot, but as Audley had been in a similar position early in the game they didn’t take anything for granted and finally sealed their place in the last four when Dave Nolan fired home goal number five.


 

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