It was the return of the MRA Junior Cup this week and after reaching the semi’s last season hopes were high for another long run. The hosts ran riot for the first 20 minutes with Tom Norris a constant threat from the left hand side as he turned the Ambergate defence inside out and whipping in some teasing crosses. It was Norris again at the heart of the action for the host’s goal as he jinked past several opposition players with the only way of stopping him resulting in a free kick 20 yards out. Norris stepped up at smashed the dead ball beyond the wall and the out stretched keeper giving Woolley a deserved lead. The last 30 minutes however were not so impressive from the hosts as the ball started to be given away cheaply and a lack of communication resulted in several un enforced errors, one of which gifted Ambergate their equaliser. A poor corner delivered to the front post was not dealt with by three Woolley players and trickled over the line which saw the sides go in at half time level.

The Moor Men survived an early scare in the second half when the visitors were awarded a penalty for a trip inside the box but fortunately the Ambergate player thumped his spot hit high over the bar and safely in to the next village. Woolley squandered some good chances as the half progressed and were made to pay for it as Ambergate grabbed a 2nd goal on the counter attack. The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Adam Norris nearly levelled the tie but the keeper somehow tipped his thunderous strike on to the post. Liam Wajs then came close twice but both his headed efforts from corner kicks narrowly missed the target.

Credit to Ambergate they worked hard as a team and deserved to go through to the next round.

The Moor Men return to league action next week as the face Punjab United at home.