Semi-final heartache as Vickerstown exit Lancashire Cup

BATTLING Vickerstown exited the Lancashire Cup after a hard-fought semi-final defeat against Cherrybrook.

The Wigan visitors proved more clinical on the superb Park Vale pitch, finishing their chances and deservedly advancing to the final.

Vickerstown started the better of the two teams, with their midfield duo of Will Maguire and Kodi Hammond setting the tone. Hammond snapped into tackles to dispossess the opposition, while Maguire's vision and quick feet helped his team on the front foot.

The games first chance fell to the hosts, as neat interplay from Maguire, Joe Hodgson and Tom Dawson sent Max Green through on goal. His shot was saved by the Cherrybrook keeper's legs.

Minutes later, Dawson released Green towards goal again, with the visiting keeper spreading himself well to save the shot.

Brody Luxon was next to have a chance, but his effort from 20 yards did not trouble the keeper.

The well-marshalled Dawson managed to work himself an opening, but his shot from distance was saved.

As the half wore on, Cherrybrook started to find their rhythm, gaining confidence from being able stop the dangerous Town attack in the final third.

The home defence of Jamie Beddoes, Ben Spencer, Harrison Turner and Jack Litherland were having to work hard to contain the dangerous Brook attack.

The visitors' tactics of soaking up pressure and playing on the counter-attack started to pay dividends as they were unlucky not to receive a penalty when a clumsy challenge from a Vickerstown defender in the area was not seen by the referee.

Cherrybrook were playing with confidence and won numerous corners, which very nearly resulted in a goal, but Vickerstown goalkeeper Jay Barker was always alert, with his safe handling and ability to deal with crosses in the box neutralising any risk

It was Cherrybrook who started the second half the better, without creating any clear-cut chances, while at the other end Hammond flashed an attempt wide from a corner.

The deadlock was broken in the 65th minute, as Brook forced a corner and Vickerstown's Achilles heel of not being able to clear their lines from came back to haunt them as a missed header allowed the visiting striker to finish from six yards out.

Town fell further behind as Spencer beat the Cherrybrook attacker to a through ball, but as Barker came out to collect the referee blew his whistle and gave an indirect free kick 12-yards out for picking up a back-pas.

This chance was dispatched into the corner of the net to give Brook a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes to go.

Vickerstown were rattled and came close to buckling under the pressure, but rallied and Maguire tried his luck from 25 yards, only to see his shot go wide.

At the other end, Barker pulled off a great save from a Cherrybrook free-kick.

As the 90th minute approached, Town won a corner and Green managed to force the ball over the line from a goalmouth scramble.

The resulting two minutes of added time passed with the hosts unable to build any pressure and the referee blowing his whistle to bring an end to a tough encounter in which a solid display from Cherrybrook saw them through to the final.

Vickerstown: Jay Barker, Jamie Beddoes, Ben Spencer, Harrison Turner, Jack Litherland, Kodi Hammond, Will Maguire, Max Green, Brody Luxon, Tom Dawson, Joe Hodgson.

Substitutes: Ben Martin, Callum Sharples, Aaron Townsend, Izaak Ferreira.