Derbyshire Sunday Senior Cup 1st Round.
AFC Walton....6 Killamarsh Juniors F.C....1.
AFC played thier " FIRST EVER" Derbyshire Senior Sunday Cup tie, and went through in emphatic style, against 2nd Division high flyers, Killamarsh Juniors @ Rother Rec today, (sunday). Benny had his strongest squad so far this season to choose from, and went with his tried and trusted, 3-4-1-2 formation, with Danny Brown, skipper Chris Bettney and returning Craig Megyesi making up the back 3, Lee Walton, Shaun Goodwin, Jordan Spencer and Shane Bennett, the midfield, with Jez Mitchell getting the nod up front to partner "on fire" striker Callam Lytham, leaving Lee Wright to fill in just behind the front 2. Both teams started in a spirited fashion, on a pitch that was in grave need of a cut by the Council. But it was the hosts who carved out the first real chance, Lee Walton trapping the ball well, but firing just over. On 10 minutes, a ball into the visitors half from Bettney caused the visitors defence a great deal of panic as they struggled to clear thier lines, earning the defenders a roasting from the Keeper. They didnt heed the warning however,as moments later Lee Waltons pass sent Mitchell clear, as he broke into the box, and prepared to shoot, he was tripped by the keeper, resulting in a penalty kick, and a yellow card for the perpatrator. MITCHELL stepped up to fire home, for AFC's 500th goal scored during Bennys Reign at the club. He was joined in the book by one one of his defenders on 14 mins, after he fell to the floor inside the box, holding the side of his head despite his protests he recieved a caution for dissent. The game restarted with AFC knocking the ball back to the keeper. Soon after Mitchell was thwarted by a fine save by the Killamarsh keeper, after being sent clear by Lytham. On 19 mins Spencer went on a mazy dribble into the box, but the chance came to nothing.
Mitchell thought he had grabbed a second goal on 23 mins, he stretched to connect with a great cross into the box, his shot thudded against the underside of the bar and bounced down and out. It was difficult to see if it had crossed the line and the pleas for a goal were waved away. A Lytham effort on 28 mins then struck the post, as AFC took a firm grip of the game. Thier dominence then paid off a minute later, when Spencer headed for goal, before being upended for another penalty. MITCHELL showed no nerves as he smashed the spot kick home. Bettney went close just after the half hour, firing a free kick just wide. Lytham broke clear after a pass from Wright, but his first touch was too heavy, and the keeper gathered easilly. Despite AFC being on top for long periods, it was Killamash who grabbed a lifeline with a classic strike on 36 minutes, a corner was swung into the back post, and was returned with interest with a cracking volley that gave Furniss and his defenders no chance as it sailed into the net. At the other end the Killamarsh keeper reacted smartly to scoop away a corner while under pressure. The Referee was kept busy as half time approached, yellow carding a 3rd visiors player for dissent, as the temperature started to rise. HALF TIME AFC Walton....2 Kllamarsh Juniors...1.
The visitors started at pace at the restart, bouyed up by the goal that had brought them back into the game, and started to create chances themselves. Bettney marshalled his defence well, ably assisted by Megyesi and Danny Brown. Despie this AFC did well to soak up the pressure, while pushing forward themselves to put the game beyond doubt.Just after the hour it was Mitchell again who struck the bar with a fierce drive. The game was halted once more on 68 mins, a ball into the box saw Mitchell climb for a header, as he rose he caught the defender with his arm, the Referee interviened and booked both players.
The defining moment of the game came wih just 15 minutes remaining, A STUNNING double save by Furniss, who parried the first shot, then scrambelled across his 6 yard box to force clear the rebound under great pressure, gave AFC the lift they required. They then had the perfect 5 minutes as Killamarsh's resolve began to wane, Lytham profited as TWO midfielders dithered on the ball, his crisp pass found SPENCER who set off on another mazy run, he traded passes with a slick one, two with Mitchell before slotting his shot home. Before the dust settled on that goal AFC plundered the visitors defence again, Bettneys long pass bounced awkwardly, the defender missed the loose ball, but under great pressure from LYTHAM the ball could only be forced onto the striker, and it found its way into the net. On 80 mins it was the turn of WRIGHT to add his name to the score sheet, Spencers slick pass picked him out and he added the cool finish. With the game now safe Benny started to make changes, Paul Walton, who had faced Killamarsh previously this season in the league BEFORE TRANSFERING BACK TO US over a fortnight ago, came on for Mitchell, who had been a constant thorn in the visitors side. on 82 mins Dean Brown who was returning to the side after a two game break, came on along with Martyn Higginbottom, replacing Shane Bennett, and Danny Brown who had given thier all. The final nail for Killamarsh came moments later, a superb through ball from Wright saw DEAN BROWN make an immediate impression with a classic first time strike for 6-1. Paul Walton made an immediate impression of his own just seconds later, a tangle for the ball out on the wing, that got slightly out of hand, saw the hosts substitute gain a yellow, whilst the Killamarsh defender was unlucky to get dismissed for his second yellow. All in all it was a brilliant performance, between two well matched teams, who were both striving to make the next round. It was a shame that with quite a large crowd, the off field antics sometimes put the game in the shade. FULL TIME AFC Walton....6 Killamarsh Juniors...1
AFC now go on to play Maypole F.C. who currently sit TOP of the Derbyshire Taveners Sunday League Premier Division. The game will take place at Rother Rec on Sunday 28th October.
