Report

SUNDAY 13TH JANUARY

SPENNYMOOR 2-1 HILDA PARK

This quarter final of the league cup didnt disappoint in the entertainment stakes but Hilda Park players can feel disappointed on how they didn't get anything from the game.

Cups are cruel competitions, you have to have luck in the draw to get a home tie and when that goes west, you then have the unenviable task of trying to get something at Spennymoor's wonderfully sloping pitch. Both teams have to be applauded for the show they put on.

Football is a game of cliches and this one was no different as it was a game of two halves. The first half belonged to Spennymoor as at times it was a shooting practice session for their players. Their first attack and were ahead inside the minute. Spenny bombarded the Hilda Park goal but Liam was in superb form as he pulled off a string of magnificent saves.Spennymoor doubled their lead on 14 minutes with a fantastic strike. Liam continues to be tested and continued to pass every one. Whatever Spennymoor subjected him to, he was equal to it. The defence stood up to a man and every one of them can hold their heads high. The midfield battled up the hill and as it was dead ground, grip wasn't that good. Ben played as a lone striker and he worked everso well chasing lost causes and closing down.

Hilda Park had a couple of chances themselves, ben went close but the advancing keeper saved well and Liam hit one just wide. 0-2 at half time.

What a turnaround the second half was. With the slope in their favour, Hilda Park started knocking the ball around and asking questions of the Spennymoor keeper who saved well from Jak, Jamie and Dan. Every attack looked dangerous.

Hilda Park got back in the game in 58^th minute when Craig floated in a beautiful corner for Jamie to head home. Sounds simple, it wasn't as he won the ball in a crowd Eldon Square would be glad to have. Hilda Park started to to dominate proceedings with Ryan Coates conducting the orchestra in front of him. His tough tackling and precision passing was a joy to behold. Jamie went close went he latched onto Adams long throw but their keeper saved well. His movement with Ross had the Spennymoor defence playing twister. Then a dangerous ball across the box found Ryan Jefferson but once again the keeper was equal to the shot. Tom, Scott and Nathan were colossal at centre half and Adam and Ryan were superb in their full back roles.

Spennymoor did have their moments and one in particular saw Liam make a brilliant diving save from a wayward back pass, their player raced in to score but fired his shot wide of the goal. He was probably trying to avoid kicking Liam on the ground.

More pressure from Hilda Park as Jak, Daniel and Craig moved menacingly around the midfield releasing passes into the forwards. Spennymoor defended well. Hilda Park had a free kick with 10 minutes left and Jamie looked like he had levelled the tie but somehow the keeper got a cross to tip the shot around the post. 1-2 at full time.

MATCH STATS;

SCORER; JAMIE GORDON

ATTEMPTS AT GOAL; 14

ON TARGET; 10