Sporting Armley showed their strength in depth by progressing to the quarter-finals of the Leeds & District Cup following a spirited comeback against Wigton Moor of the Harrogate & District Football League Division 2.
John Moses returned in goal behind a strong back four of Glenn King, Danny Pearson, Mark Pearson and Phil Wheeler.
In midfield, captain Kev Bruce and James Lee took up their usual positions in the centre, with David Barlow and Elliott Stubbs starting on either wing.
Up front the returning Dean Russell partnered Danny Goulden in attack.
Sporting Armley began the game confidently, with Goulden and Russell proving a handful in attack. Goulden came close to scoring on several occasions, and James Lee joining the attack from midfield could have got himself on the scoresheet but for some last ditch tackles in the 6 yard box.
Despite Armley's dominance, it was Wigton Moor who broke away and scored the opening goal. A swift counter-attack got their winger in behind who crossed for their striker to fire in a scuffed shot just out of the reach of John Moses.
In the second half, new signing Bryant Coldwell came on the left wing to replace David Barlow and a few minutes later Mike Bowe came on to replace Elliott Stubbs. Bowe moved into the centre alongside Kev Bruce and James Lee moved out to the right wing.
Barlow and Stubbs both had a great game up to this point, but the fresh legs of the substitutes, combined with James Lee moving out wide certainly helped as Dean Russell fired Armely back into the game.
James Lee, operating on the wing, dribbled his way past the left back and into the box. His low cross was clinically slammed into the net from close range by Russell as the tide began to turn Sporting's way.
Armley's second goal came a few minutes later when Mark Pearson combined with Bryant Coldwell down the left. The debut boy delivered a brilliant cross into the box which Danny Goulden met to head his side into the lead. It was only the second time Goulden had scored a headed goal in 3 years at the club.
Wigton Moor were gifted an equaliser when miscommunication at the back between defenders led to their striker running free to lob John Moses to make it 2-2. It was unfortunate for Armley and Moses, as the defensive four had been fantastic throughout the game and Moses had pulled off some great saves and confident catches.
As Jason Lovett began to think about extra time, his side regained the lead when Goulden tricked his way into the box and set up his strike partner Russell to fire home his second goal of the game with a neat finish. It was his 3rd goal in just 4 appearances for Armley this season.
Armley almost shot themselves in the foot when the referee deemed John Moses to be timewasting and awarded Wigton Moor an indirect freekick within the Armley area. Fortunately for Armley, the resulting shot was fired wide and over the bar.
Sporting will face the winners of Mosaic v East End Park WMC in the quarter-finals.
