Valley Cup Run Cut Short as Late Fox Strike Settles Tight Tie

Mersey Valley’s Cheshire Cup campaign came to an end at the first hurdle on Saturday as a late strike from Dukinfield Town secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

James Matthews

James Matthews had given Valley the lead early in the second half, but Dukinfield responded through Wardle before Fox struck nine minutes from time to settle a competitive cup tie.

It was a frustrating result for Valley, who battled hard throughout against a Dukinfield side that enjoyed more of the ball and created the greater number of chances.

The afternoon began with concern for the hosts when a Dukinfield defender suffered a nasty-looking knee injury inside the opening couple of minutes, forcing an early change.

Once the game settled, there was little between the sides. Much of the opening half-hour developed into a midfield battle with chances at a premium, before Dukinfield began to take control as half-time approached.

Alex Gorst was called into action and produced two excellent low saves to keep the scores level, while the hosts also struck the crossbar during their strongest spell of the first half.

Valley remained a threat on the counter, however, and Matthews produced their best moment of the opening 45 minutes with a strong run that ended with the Dukinfield goalkeeper making a good save.

The hosts started the second half brightly, but it was Valley who broke the deadlock on 52 minutes.

Pete Greenwood

Captain Pete Greenwood produced an excellent ball to release Matthews through on goal and the striker kept his composure, beating the goalkeeper to put Mersey Valley 1-0 ahead.

The advantage lasted just seven minutes.

A dangerous Dukinfield free-kick was delivered into the Valley penalty area and Wardle got the better of his marker before heading beyond Gorst to bring the home side level.

With the tie finely balanced, Valley made changes as they looked for another route to goal. Wilson Usieme, Aiden Brookes, Aaron Johnson and Mike Woolley were all introduced during the second half, with Usieme almost producing a spectacular moment when attempting an overhead kick inside the area.

But with nine minutes remaining, Dukinfield found the decisive goal.

Valley allowed Fox too much space in midfield and he punished them, producing an excellent strike from distance that gave Gorst little chance and put the hosts 2-1 ahead.

There was still one final opportunity deep into stoppage time when Usieme found himself with a half-chance inside the area, but the Dukinfield goalkeeper was quickly out to smother the danger and bring Valley’s cup hopes to an end.

The statistics reflected a game in which the home side carried the greater attacking threat. Dukinfield finished with 59% possession and registered 16 shots to Valley’s eight, with seven on target compared to two. The hosts also held a 10-4 advantage on corners and recorded 21 touches inside the opposition penalty area compared with Valley’s 12.

Despite the defeat, there were individual positives for Valley.

Charlie Hill was named Star Man following an excellent performance at centre-half, competing for every ball and producing a committed defensive display throughout.

There was also a debut for Boaler from the bench, while the afternoon marked a significant piece of Mersey Valley history for Mike Woolley.

Woolley’s second-half introduction was his 92nd appearance for the club, setting a new Mersey Valley appearance record.

It was ultimately a disappointing afternoon in terms of the result, but Valley can take positives from competing throughout a difficult away cup tie.

Attention now turns back to league football and the opportunity to respond.

TEAM LINE UP

1 – Alex Gorst
22 – Junior Omorogbe
5 – Pete Greenwood (c)
2 – Charlie Hill
16 – Alex Holroyd
18 – Alfie Howarth
14 – Louis Quinn
17 – Joel Riley
10 – Rourke Neal
21 – Ted Palmer-Atkins
9 – James Matthews

Subs

11 – Mike Woolley
12 – Aiden Brookes
15 – Luke Boaler
20 – Aaron Johnson
23 – Wilson Robinson Usieme

Referee: Paul Philbin

Charlie Hill