Tameside knew it would be a hard game and this is how it proved. The game started furiously as both teams battled for control. Tameside made the first break through as good play from Wareham and Boardman led to Ed Tali making it 1-0 with an excellent finish. Tameside kept good possession and this paid off as they won a short corner. This was well worked as Nicky Burgess dragged the ball low into the goal to give the away side a two goal advantage. It had been a dream start and it continued with another penalty corner which was worked well to Boardman who swept it home to make it 3 - 0. West Derby were shocked and tried to regroup and this worked before half team as Hart sneaked it to finish to give the home team some hope.

The second half was a different game as the home team pressured Tameside high up the pitch hoping to force errors. For the first 15 minutes of the half Tameside kept their discipline and worked hard. With 20 minutes to go the game changed as the umpire reprimandEd Tali for a late challenge and he was yellow carded which gave west derby a man advantage and they made this count as they first won a penalty stroke which was scored by Hart to make it 3 - 2. Tameside were now on the back foot and with Tali still off the pitch they conceded a penalty corner which proved to be the equaliser. At 3-3 Tameside had a late chance which was saved well by the 'keeper to leave Tameside cursing 2 points dropped.