Holker Old Boys U14s 0 Charnock Richard U14s 1

HOLKER Old Boys tumbled out of the Lancashire Cup at the second hurdle as a second-half penalty for Charnock Richard proved enough for victory.

Kicking up the Rakesmoor Lane slop in the first half, Charley Thompson took the game to the heart of the Charnock defence for the home side.

He broke from the centre forward position to the take the ball wide on the left before putting in a cross which flashed across the face of the goal, with Holker's midfielders narrowly missing getting a foot to it.

Thompson continued to be a threat on the left in the early encounters, but as the game progressed Charnock become more of a danger, with their centre forwards finding time and space to get shots off around the edge of the box, forcing Holker keeper Sam Pratt to pull off several good saves.

The start of the second half found Charnock pressing from the off, with their number seven making several good breaks on the right.

On one of these breaks, Holker's defenders failed to get a tackle in early enough and, when it was finally made, the Charnock winger was sent tumbling and the referee pointed to the spot. The visaiting centre forward stepped up and placed the ball past the outstretched right hand of Pratt for 1-0.

Holker huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half, without carving out a real chance to equalise.

A couple of free-kicks went wide and Charnock were happy to defend in numbers and the see the game out, having just had the edge over the course of the match.

Holker could not find their form, though Pratt was outstanding in goal and Thompson and Dylan Ellis also stood out.