Association of Northern Counties Cup

Richard Close’s Milnthorpe Corinthians team, representing the Westmorland F.A narrowly lost out after extra time to West Yorkshire Premier League leaders Field FC, representing West Riding in the final of The Association of Northern Counties Cup on Easter Saturday in front of a bumper crowd of over 400.
After a bright start from both teams on 8 mins, Field’s Mike O’Brien whipped in a harmless looking cross headed out by Mike Packham only as far as Andrew Hawker who volleyed the ball from 18yds into the left corner of the net giving keeper Adam White no chance.
Shortly after White produced a magnificent one handed save from Chris Wood to keep the score at 1-0.
Corinthians pressed forward and Peter Baxendale produced a string of chances which unfortunately were not converted into goals.
On the stroke of half time Ryan Close fed Adam Garnett through the middle, Garnett produced an exquisite lob over the advancing keeper Metcalf only to see defender Nick Doherty scramble back and clear off the line.
Corinthians continued to press in the second half and on 65 min were rewarded when a mix up between keeper Metcalf and defender Leach allowed Baxendale to nip between the two and Cooley slot the ball home in the bottom corner of the net.
With extra time beckoning Garnett, Close and Baxendale came agonisingly close to winning it only to see fine saves from Metcalf.
Eight minutes into extra time Tom Ponter found Danny Cunningham un marked in the middle to head home his 44th goal of the season to make it 2-1 to West Riding.
Four minutes later Marcus Nicholson weaved his way into the box, slipped past Leach who brought him down for a penalty to Westmorland.

Ian Hunt