Cup Success for Plough

Success to the Plough, currently top of the Premier Division took on Catholic Club, unbeaten, in the First Division, and favourites for promotion - all the signs for a great game, and so it was - in a Third Round Rochdale Online League Cup tie at Springfield Park.

 

Plough, playing downhill on the very narrow pitch started better, scored within the first 10 minutes Kershaw's free kick from the half way line going straight in.

 

Plough were off and running and playing well, despite the poor pitch and Club were under the cosh.

 

Another Kershaw free kick was met with power by Riley and it was 2-0 within 20 minutes, however, a late flag changed the game; Riley very controversially ruled offside. The let off inspired Catholic Club and they started attack Plough; their pressure was rewarded when Kearney converted a penalty with ease.

 

Just before the half it Catholic Club took the lead as a long punt up field caught the Plough defence napping and Bradley scored a neat goal

 

Half Time: Success to the Plough 1 - 2 Catholic Club

 

After the break Plough got their act together and turned the game on its head as they swept into a 4-2 lead within the first 15 minutes with goals from Astley, Kershaw with his second, and Burg scored a great goal after good work by Jackson.

 

It seemed game over as Plough began to show their Premier Division class, looking good value for their lead. Another dubious refereeing decision gave Club a lifeline when Kearney converted his and Club's second penalty of the game, despite the best efforts of Plough goalkeeper Kirkham.

 

Plough still looked comfortable at 4-3, however, with the seconds ticking away, the unthinkable, from a Plough viewpoint, happened as a long ball forward was held up by the mud and Bradley managed to get a shot in. Plough keeper Kirkham only parry and Kearney completed his hat-trick to level the score.

 

Full Time:  Success to the Plough 4 - 4 Catholic Club

 

Club took control in the first period of extra time when they sent a great ball forward that caught the Plough defence coming out and Kearney scored again to put Club in front.

 

Plough to their credit refused to allow their heads to drop and responded as man-of-the-match Jackson scored with a quick free kick, and before Club knew what had happened Ian Kershaw scored his third with a good header from a corner and two minutes into the second period of extra time it was effectively game over when Burg put Plough two in front and into the next round.

 

Final Score: Success to the Plough 7 - 5 Catholic Club