CHATSWORTH CUP 2ND ROUND Black Swan F.C.....0 AFC Walton.....3
AFC made thier first ever foray in the Chatsworth Cup this morning, at Milken Lane Ashover, against Division 4 HIGH FLYERS and leaders Black Swan. They started the game as under dogs, but came away with the spoils, in a pulsating cup tie played on a very tricky surface. The hosts had been known as a side that prided itself on a very strict defending policy, a fact that was borne out as they hadnt conceded a singe goal at home, in 5 previous matches this season. The game started with low mist hanging around the pitch, that sloped from side to side, and looked as though from the kick off, it was going to be a very nervy encounter, with few chances. Mitchell bore down on goal inside the first minute, but was tripped 25 yards from goal, he took the kick himself, but sent it just wide of the upright. Bettney lost control just outside his own box on 7 mins, but he recovered well, and made a stunning saving tackle.
The next chance of note came on 10 mins,and saw a long range strike from Paul Walton, winning a corner for AFC after a defender blocked the efffort. The first kick was well padded away by the keeper for another corner. Before the next kick the Referee spotted a confrontation between Mtchell and a Swan defender and after words with both players, he cautioned the pair of them. The kick was again well cleared by the hosts. On 14 mins Furniss had to come smartly out of his goal as the striker lifted his effort over him, but the keeper just did enough and the ball went for a goal kick. Walton went close again on the quater hour after he cut inside, but fired just wide. Both sides were cancelling each other out, with Swans solid defence back in numbers, soaking up the attacks, but they always looked dangerous, breaking quicly upfield to be met by equally resilliant defending by AFC led by Bettney, abley assisted by Furniss, Silcock and Megyesi.
A brave crossfield pass by Danny Brown was well cut out on 22 mins, as AFC threatened. But Swan went the closest seconds later when a free kick whistled inches past the post. Danny Brown went close soon after, Mitchell played him in, but he fired over from an awkward angle. On the half hour Furniss made a fine catch with a great ball in from the wing. Mitchell the at the other end was unlucky, he burst through the hosts defence, but lost his footing before he could get his shot away. Bettney missed a golden chance to grab the lead on 35 mins, Mitchell was tripped in the box, and the usually cool penalty taker lost his footing and fired the spot kick well over. A Swan free kick was well headed over by Silcock as the hosts pushed forward, and as half time approached Brown miskicked when well placed. The defining moment of the half occured right on the stroke of half time, Paul Walton played a loveley ball through and Captain SHAUN GOODWIN stepped up and picked his spot before lifting a fine chip; over the keeper and into the net to see his team mates mob him. HALF TIME Black Swan...0 AFC Walton.....1.
Benny started the second half with the same 11, bearing in mind it was such a slender lead, and the tie could have gone to extra time and penalties. Swan started the half the slightly stronger, pushing for an equaliser, at times pushing AFC back. Goodwin was felled on 55 mins with the ball hitting him in a sensitive area, Swan broke downfield and continued despite AFC calling for the ball to be kicked out, the ball was swung into the area, but the Swans striker headed tamely over, and Goodwin could recieve treatment. From the goalkick Mitchell raced onto the long ball, but the keeper JUST beat him to the ball and cleared the danger. Swan were being restricted to long range efforts that were fizzing just wide of Furniss's goal as they searched for a way back into the game. A great ball over by Lee Walton into the box saw NOBODY at the back to profit. And just after the hour a mistake at back by AFC saw Furniss make the save of the game rushing out at the attackers feet to block his effort bravely, the ball rebounded back to a Swan player, but with Furniss still getting to his feet, the strikers shot hit his own player and looping up into Furniss's grasp.
Swan were lucky to survive on 63 mins a mix up at the back caused panic, but no one could make them pay, and the chance went. A Swan corner on 65 mins saw a mad scramble in defence, but AFC stood firm, and that saw Swans BEST and last chance come and go AFC wrapped the game up with TWO more goals inside a 3 minute spell in the 3rd quater of the game, a superb Lee Walton ball saw MITCHELL latch onto the chance, he took the ball on before whipping it beyond the keeper and just nestleing inside the far post. Wright was cautioned after the goal for presumebly something he said, and the game continued. MITCHELL wrapped the tie up on 75 mins following a Shane Bennett corner, Goodwin rose to nod the ball into the danger area, and the PROLIFIC STRIKER (According to last weeks Derbyshire Times) reacted first to prod the ball home in a crowded 6 yard box. AFC now were in complete control and it was now just a matter of playing to the final whistle, and keep a much deserved clean sheet for MOTM Furniss. A Swan defender had his blushes spared after a fine Megyesi pass sent Mitchel free,as he bore down on goal the defender got his foot to the ball first, and was saved with a smart tip over by his keeper. with the game now won Benny gave returning player Dean Brown, who had been sidelined by injury and work commitments a run for the last 5 minutes to wind the clock down. On 86 mins Paul Walton became the FOURTH player in the game to be cautioned for a rash tackle. FULL TIME Black Swan F.C....0 AFC Walton...3. AFC now take thier place in the LAST 16 of the competition, and can now look forward to next weeks Derbysire Junor Sunday Cup at Renishaw M.W. LAST 16 IN CHATSWORTH CUP ARE AS FOLLOWS.......From Division 4 ( Chesterfield Town, Crown Killamarsh Utd, New Inn Newton, Red Lion Whitt Moor, Royal Oak Brampton, Spital F.C.) Division 5 ( AFC Walton, Barrow Hill M.C, Brampton Rov JMA, Brimington Utd, Dronfield Woodhouse, Hosetech) Division 6 ( AFC New Nags Head (ex Blue Stoops), Brimington Club, Dronfield Miners, Hopflower Utd). So take your pick lads!!!!!!
