Furness Rovers U15s 2 Holker Old Boys U16s 1

LANCASHIRE Cup winners Furness Rovers added more silverware to their cabinet with victory in the Furness FA Youth Cup.

The under-15s county champions took the under-16s crown at Holker Street with a 2-1 win over Holker Old Boys.

On a hot day and a fine playing surface, Rovers managed to produce the goods in what was their third match in four days.

They were up for the challenge against strong Holker opposition and both teams started the first half well.

There was some nice football in the middle of the park, with Rovers’ midfield battling well against a talented Holker unit.

Isaac Prosser went close for Holker, but dragged his effort just wide of the Rovers goal, before the deadlock was broken midway through the half.

Tyler Wood played a great through ball to Rovers forward Jack Stoker just inside the Holker half. He beat his marker and outpaced him before slotting the ball home from the edge of the area to make it 1-0 at the Holker Street End.

Rovers pressed for a second goal and Hugh McParland had an effort ruled out for offside.

Holker began putting the Rovers defence under pressure at the opposite end, but they stood firm and goalkeeper Charlie Emslie was a match for any attempt at goal.

The early stages of the second half were dominated by Holker and they looked to be in charge as they created chance after chance.

Sam Hayes clipped a golden opportunity over the bar and a Jack Elliott raking drive from 25 yards rose just clear of the goal frame at the last second.

Ten minutes into the half, they scored the equaliser they deserved.

Following an exchange of passes between Isaac Prosser, Sam Hayes and Warren Purcell in midfield, it was Elliott who restored parity with a fine strike from the edge of the Rovers box that Emslie could only watch as it sailed past.

Holker continued their dominance and created a number of chances for Macca Woods, who got himself on the end of two sweeping moves, only for his efforts to be pulled just wide of the post on both occasions.

Resilient defending from Rovers kept the scores level before they started putting pressure on at the opposite end.

Tyler Wood, who had headed against the woodwork in the first half, fired narrowly over from close range and McParland had a goal disallowed with a very close offside call.

Jack Stoker, Robbie Bell and McParland worked hard to get a second and, in the final minutes, Bell broke free on the left, cut inside and finished well to give them the lead with what proved to be the winning goal.

The final few frantic minutes saw Old Boys centre-back Christian Squire venture forward on several marauding runs in an attempt to save the game, but it was not to be.

Both teams produced an entertaining end-to-end game, with all players giving their all.

John Knagg, of the Lancashire FA, congratulated the sides on the way the match was played, with the skill and tenacity of both teams being roundly praised.