Furness Rovers U15s 3 Standish Panthers U15s 0

A GRITTY, determined performance saw Furness Rovers reach the Lancashire Cup Final after beating a strong Standish team.

The early exchanges at the Training Ground saw Rovers’ Hugh McParland hit the crossbar from a wide right position and the imposing Standish number 12 head a corner on to the post.

With the wind at their backs, Panthers were picking up a lot of corners, but Rovers keeper Charlie Emslie dealt with them comfortably.

The hosts’ central midfield trio of Nathan McHugh, Tyler Wood and Jack Stoker continued to play through balls to Ryan Fagan, with the Standish team intercepting good play.

However, on 15 minutes, McHugh got his pass inch-perfect and played in McParland, who rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net to make it 1-0.

Standish continued to apply pressure, but Rovers’ impressive back three of Brandon Allinson, Oliver Pucknell and Ben Chinn stayed firm, breaking down any opposition challenges that came their way.

The game saw both home wing-backs Owen Griffiths and Joe Walker – small in stature but big in heart – make their mark with their ferocious challenges.

McHugh put in a strong tackle himself in the Sandish half and shot narrowly wide.

Half-time came with Rovers 1-0 up, but in terms of possession and territory, the visitors just shaded it.

Panthers came out strongly in the second half, but Rovers weathered the storm, with their indestructible defence and keeper Emslie a strong presence in goal.

Gradually the hosts’ skill and determination gained the upper hand against their rivals.

McParland switched to the left, causing problems with some great runs down the flank, while Wood, McHugh and Stoker continued their influential presence in midfield.

Fagan headed narrowly wide from inside the box, but seconds later he played a great ball in to McParland who slotted home from just inside the box for his and Rovers’ second goal.

As the game passed the hour-mark, Griffiths and Walker pressed forward more, with the defensive skills of Allinson, Pucknell and Chinn becoming more difficult for the Standish team to break down.

Robbie Bell came on up front and made his mark immediately, causing problems for the Standish defence with a fine shot just going wide.

Within 10 minutes, Bell’s pressing led to a corner. McHugh hit it in low to Stoker, who struck it sweetly into the net to make it 3-0.

Ethan Bickerdike came on into the centre of midfield and immediately found space and began to see a lot of the ball. Standish were flagging, but Rovers’ work-rate did not falter all the way to the whistle.

It was a strong, physical team performance from Rovers, who will take on Atherton Town in the Lancashire Cup Final at Leyland, Preston later in the year.

Furness Rovers squad: Charlie Emslie, Owen Griffiths, Ben Chinn, Oliver Pucknell, Brandon Allinson, Joe Walker, Tyler Wood, Jack Stoker, Nathan McHugh, Hugh McParland, Ryan Fagan, Robbie Bell, Ethan Bickerdike, Corey Stevens.

Manager: Graeme Allinson. Coach: Mike McParland.