Recap

Honours even at the XLCR Stadium

1874 will get another crack at old rivals Colne FC as a late equaliser from the 74 secured a replay at the St Lukes Barton Stadium this Tuesday.
The Greens got the game underway, backed by a healthy travelling support, many of which were making them selves heard alongside Colne’s “Red Army” and it was nearly a dream start, only 5 minutes in, Sam Hind got the beating of the Colne fullback to fire a dangerous cross in to the area, only for Aghayere to parry the ball away for a throw in.

1874, playing up the slope in the first half, were having the better of the play in the opening 25 minutes and once again tested the backline of the home side, Sam Hind latched on to a great through ball by Matt Woolley to cut the ball back towards a lurking Tom Bailey, however, a great interception and clearance by Lynch averted the danger.

Aghayere was called in to action later on, Tom Bailey, assisted by the windy conditions, found the ball bounce fortuitously over Pugh’s head, the 1874 forward, on the stretch fired a low effort in to the bottom left corner of the goal only to find the Colne custodian there to palm his effort wide for a corner.

Colne then had their best chance of the half, ex 1874 forward Matthew Beadle turned on the edge of the 74 area, and found Garvin out wide, his delivery in to the area reached Ben Wharton who’s effort narrowly found its self wide of Greg Hall’s goal and only moments later, Craig Farnworth was on hand to block Beadle getting a shot away on goal and cleared the ball to safety.

The second half started in the same manner the first had ended, end to end action, Tom Bailey had a great chance to open the scoring but his half volley fizzed wide of the goal and down the other end Wharton was denied by Greg Hall, who used his feet to make a smart save to keep the scores level

Shelton Payne was introduced around the hour mark for Stuart Wellstead, to give the Greens a new dimension in attack, and this change paid dividends only moments later, the pacey winger received the ball in space after neat play with Paul Connor, he then produced great skill to beat the fullback, he fired a shot on goal which cannoned off the post and straight to Sam Hind who put the ball away at the back post to put the Greens 1-0 ahead.

Only moments later, Garvin found himself unmarked at the edge of the box, his effort was blocked by Danny Thomas, however, it looped behind the defence to find Ben Wharton who pounced on the fortune to bring his side level, diverting the ball beyond Greg Hall.

The wind was causing havoc on the game, no side could find a rhythm in their play, however it was the home side who would take the lead, the substitute Hargreaves found Garvin on the edge, who turned to place the ball in to the far corner past Greg Hall to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

1874 now had to push Colne and go for the equaliser, a corner was awarded on the 86th minute, Greg Hall came up for the corner to possibly grab the goal we needed, Colne cleared and broke on the 74 goal, which was now empty, but a heroic last ditch tackle by Matt Russell denied Colne the chance to make it 3-1 and kill the game off, Greg Hall stayed forward and a long ball caused mayhem, Tom Bailey headed the ball past Aghayere but was blocked on the line by Lynch only for Sam Hind to turn it home at the back post to send the travelling supporters in to pandemonium.

There will now be a replay at the St Luke’s Barton Stadium on Tuesday 23rd August, 8pm K.O

1874 TEAM: Hall, Connor, Farnworth, Thomas, Russell, M.Woolley (C), R.Bailey, Wellstead, Moran, T.Bailey, Hind.
SUBS: Payne for Wellstead (56 Minutes) McGowan for Farnworth (85 Minutes)
UNUSED: J.Woolley, Middleton, Welsh, Mitchell.

ATT: 190