DAN SEES BLUES THOUGH TRICKY TIE

Town progressed through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 victory over Charnock Richard at Harrison Park.

As in the first game, Blues opponents from a step below made it very difficult and Neil Baker was a relieved man at the final whistle.

The Blues boss was forced into a number of changes due to suspension and unavailability.

17-year old academy player Jessy Bavanganga was brought in for his first start at right back whilst Darren Chadwick and Sam Hall both made their first competitive appearances of the season after injury.

Blues got off to a dream start after just five minutes when persistence paid off from Tim Grice (pictured) as he broke through three defenders and fired in low off the post.

Strangely Leek failed to capitalise on this and it was the Greens who had the better of the half.

Carl Grimshaw went close with a 25-yarder that flew just wide after 14 minutes, but he did find the target in the 35th minute to equalise.

Once again Blues failed to deal with a free-kick played into the box and Grimshaw rose highest to powerfully head home into the bottom corner.

Charnock were in front early in the second half when a low free-kick was met by Charlie Walford, but his attempted clearance was sliced and the ball flew in at the far post giving Danny Roberts no chance.

Blues gradually applied the pressure and after the hour mark the chances began to come.

On 63 minutes a good, low effort from Rob Stevenson was parried by Chris Cheetham into the path of Marc Grocott, but running in he couldn't control his contact and the ball skewed just wide.

Four minutes later another Stevenson effort was pushed away by Cheetham but this time Dan Trickett-Smith was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range.

Town were now in search of the winner and they were unlucky in the 71st minute when Chadwick saw his looping header from a corner cleared off the line only as far as Scott Lycett who smashed the ball on the volley against the crossbar.

Stevenson was bundled over the box shortly afterwards but nothing was given, however the referee did award a free-kick for Blues 30 yeard out with four minutes remaining.

Trickett-Smith stepped up and hit his shot over the wall and it dipped beyond the dive of Cheetham and in off the post.

That proved to be the winner and Blues now collect £2890 from the FA Cup prize fund and have the chance to go for £6000 more when they travel to NCEL Division One side Parkgate on Wednesday for a First Qualifying Round tie.

Line-up:

1. Danny Roberts
2. Jesse Bavanganga
3. Charlie Walford
4. Marc Grocott
5. Scott Lycett
6. Darren Chadwick
7. Jordan Johnson (14. Andy McWilliams, 55)
8. Sam Hall (15. Harry Brazel, 72)
9. Tim Grice
10. Dan Trickett-Smith
11. Rob Stevenson

Unused subs: 12. Zeph Thomas, 16. Jack Hurd

Attendance: 243

Man of the Match: Dan Trickett-Smith