Shawdale Book Their Cup Final (Challenge Cup Semi Final)
Shawdale booked their place in this years Challenge Cup final with an ok display against a gutsy Failsworth side, that never game up and tried to the end.
Shawdale were far the superior side, especially in the first half. However, it felt a bit like after the Lords Mayor Show after last weeks great victory. They didn’t really get out of second gear. However, there were some great individual performances. The defence was water tight, with Tweedale, Temple and the Ryan brothers in great form.
Man of The Match Morrow was a thorn in Failsworth side all morning. Dawson and Barnes caused problems on the flanks and Holmes was like a musical conductor, orchestrating his team around the park.
Shawdale started in fast mode, knocking the ball around at will and after 12 minutes, the visitors got their first chance. A great interchange, resulting in a forty yard diagonal pass by Holmes to Barns, who hit a great strike that brought a great save from the keeper.
Five minutes later Holmes hit a low drive from outside the box that clipped the side of the post and went wide.
Then on twenty two minutes, a high clearance from the home keeper, saw that man Holmes take the ball down on his chest, beat two players, then laid a perfect pass off to Durrant, who slotted it past the keeper for the opener.
Shawdale looked to have loads in the tank but it never materialised. Time after time shots missing the target and attacks coming to nothing.
Much the same in the second half but with the home side seeing more of the ball but struggled for ideas in front of goal.
Then on eighty-four minutes, a stonewall penalty was turned down by the referee, as Barnes came tumbling down in the box.
In a dull affair of a cup semi final, Shawdale had the last chance of the game, as Ben Trippier hit a sweet shot that wobbled the cross bar.
Shawdale have a quick turn around now, as they travel to Roe Cross on Tuesday evening in the league.
‘A wins a win’ said Coach Wylie, ‘We didn’t play to the heights of last week but we did enough to win this morning. I don’t think the referee helped our cause either’