NEW MILLS END TOWN'S CUP HOPES

Runcorn Town's superb second half performance at Vodkat League Champions New Mills was not enough as they went down 3-2 in the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup.

The damage was all done in a first half which was arguably the poorest 45 minutes of the season. The first goal arrived after just ten minutes when poor defending let in Daniel Douglas-Pringle on the left with the forward easily slotting past Karl Wills.

Seven minutes later it got worse for Town with New Mills adding a second. A free kick from the right was half cleared with the ball crossed back into the box where defender Nicholas Swirad stooped to head home with a pinpoint header.

New Mills effectively killed off the game just after the half hour with a blistering counter attack that cut Town apart. Left back Luke Horrocus found Douglas-Pringle down the line with his first time ball sending Crowe clear in the centre. Two touches later, Crowe hit a stunning strike past Wills from 20-yards to finish off a move which would have had Match of the Day replaying it for weeks.

Early second half pressure paid off after 54 minutes with half time substitute Emini Adegbenro playing the ball through for Carey who finished at the second attempt after Dominic Ingram-Hughes saved his first effort.

Despite numerous missed chances, Town's had to wait until stoppage time to register their second with Adegbenro's bullet shot flying into the top right hand corner to rival Crowe's effort for goal of the game. However the goal arriving too late to mount a challenge for a third.

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Posted at 13:13 on Sunday 8th May 2011 - Viewed 487 times