A double from Josh Nash saw Sinclair United progress to the quarter-finals of the Coronation Cup with a 4-2 win at home to Bloxham.
With a week away from division one action, manager Steve Nash made three changes to the side which performed well against Ashton Villa last week. Matt Coyne came in at right back for Will Jones with Jason Pritchard starting on the right side of midfield. David Wiles supporting Nash up front and United also welcomed back midfielder Ben Riley to the squad.
United started the game well in a bright 15-minute spell, which saw them pile pressure on the Bloxham goal. Ben Washington and Luke Whitehead were working well together down the left side to set Nash behind the defence and had it not been for a good couple of saves from the opposing keeper, it could have been another early goal.
The first chance fell to Nash who found himself with just the keeper to beat following a defensive header. But his delicate lob unfortunately went over the bar.
United didn't have long to wait until they broke the deadline. Another good move down the left saw Washington feed Nash beyond the last defender and he used his pace to break free and fire a fierce drive into the far corner.
The home side were not content with just the one goal however, and went pressing ahead to find that second goal. Both Pritchard and Washington went close to doubling their advantage but following a succession of corners, a great ball into the box by Luke Butterworth saw Ian Timms glance his header across goal and into the far corner. It was the midfielder's fourth goal in five games.
The second goal could have seen Bloxham crumble, but much to boss Nash's frustration United started to get sloppy at the back and give their opponents opportunities to get back into the game. They had to thank keeper Stuart Ciballi for a number of great reflex saves to keep the score at 2-0 at half time.
It was a case of more of the same in the second half for United, who felt the next goal would effectively put the tie to bed. But Bloxham somehow managed to score a goal of their own from a long-range freekick near the halfway line, which seemed to evade Ciballi in the bright sunlight. United had reason to be frustrated by the goal, as the freekick was given for an alleged handball by Pritchard when in fact the ball hit his head.
United still had chances of their own though and were beginning to once again get a foothold on the tie. Some good work down the left side saw Nash through on goal again and after seemingly doing all the hard work he found himself with just the empty goal at his mercy. But as he was falling he managed to scoop the ball over the bar.
To Nash's credit however he kept working hard and finally doubled his tally when a through ball from Pritchard saw him evade the onrushing keeper and calmy slot the ball home, restoring United's two goal advantage.
That should have seen United hold on to the game and see the game out comfortably, with the visitors not showing much attacking threat for United's defence to worry about. But Bloxham somehow got another goal when their midfielder worked the ball down the right and despite a number of challenges from Ian Timms, the looping cross managed to fly into the far corner of the net.
United were making things difficult for themselves in the last 15 minutes, but the introduction of Woodcock to support Nash and Toby Jones on the left side of midfield would surely bolster the home side's attack.
And they nearly found their fourth goal when a corner from the left was met by Timms who headed cannoned off the crossbar before his rebound was cleared off the line. A good move down the left saw Pritchard deliver a cross to Jones who headered the ball into the path of Timms, but his weak shot was straight at the keeper.
Woodcock too had chances to put the game to bed, a succession of shots inside the box destined for goal were blocked by the many Bloxham defenders.
It looked like United were going to squeeze into the next round of the cup, but Luke Whitehead's long free kick settled the score right at the death. A long ball into the box looked like it was going to be cleared by a Bloxham defender, but as he missed the header the ball went straight past the keeper and into the net.
Despite the final whistle signalling the end of the game it should have been over by half time. United played some attractive football at times but the goals they conceded must have been disappointing to boss Nash, especially when Bloxham registered no shots at target during the whole game.
United face a more difficult test in the next round when they face defending champions Abba Athletic. The premier division side will certainly be no pushowevers but United know there will be no pressure going into the match, and will fancy their chances progressing.
UNITED: S Ciballi, M Coyne (W Jones 45), A Timms, L Jarvis, L Whitehead, B Washington (T Jones 60), I Timms, L Butterworth, J Pritchard, D Wiles (K Woodcock 70), J Nash
Sub unused: B Riley
