REPORT: West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-3 Squires Gate (FA Cup)

By Mark Ashmore

Squires Gate secured a place in the next round of the FA Cup with a 2-3 win away at West Didsbury

Goals from Brett Dawson, Ryan Charnley and Joe Booth gave Gate a 3-0 lead before a late comeback from the homeside came just too late.

Gate had to make a couple of changes coming into this game, not the ideal preparation coming into the game. Striker Ric Seear missed out due a back injury, whilst Matty Kay was still recovering from an injury that kept him out of Gate's 6-1 mid-week win against Burscough. Midfielder Dan Gray also missed out on the game due to a clause in his loan contract from parent club AFC Fylde.

On his first start of the season, Brett Dawson linked well with Gary Pett after four minutes but Dawson's cross was caught by the keeper at the near post. Dawson then came close a second time in the sixth minute, he was found by a brilliant cross from Jordan Salthouse, but Dawson's header came back of the post.

West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-3 Squires Gate - Saturday 11th August 2018 (FA Cup)

20 photos

Match photos

The homeside themselves went close on two seperate occasions. First a corner was sent in but went over everyone's head. Then two minutes later one of West's wingers beat Gate to the byeline before sending a cross across the six yard box where nobody in white and black could get a touch.

Gate opened the scoring after twenty two minutes when Ryan Charnley scored his second goal of the season. He was in the right place to tap in after Brett Dawson's volley was blocked on the line.

The homeside looked to reply four minutes later and only Adam Sumner denied them. A header from Saul Henderson looked to be going in, but Adam Sumner rose highest to clear the ball off the line.

Gate doubled their lead in the thirtieth minute when Brett Dawson got the goal his performance deserved. He timed his run well to run on to Joe Booth's through ball and fire past the keeper one on one.

Gate's last chance of the first half came for Dawson again. He was found by an inch perfect corner from Adam Sumner but could only head wide.

Half time: West Didsbury & Chorlton 0-2 Squires Gate

The second half couldn't have started any worse for the homeside as they were reduced to ten men five minutes in. Keeper Jones came out of his area handling the ball whilst fouling Brett Dawson, earning himself a red card.

From the resulting freekick, Gate captain Joe Booth showed his quality as he found the top corner with an unstoppable freekick.

The home side refused to surrender and forced Ben Fletcher to save with his feet on the hour. And the hosts pulled one back with a pinpoint free-kick by Joe Shaw on 74 minutes.

Keeper Ben Fletcher made another quality save in stoppage time but could not deny Saul Henderson a second for West, though it is Gate who will contest the preliminary round on Saturday week.

Gate are back in action next Saturday when we host Congleton Town at The Brian Addison Stadium.

Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Rossall, Sumner, Riley, Booth (c), Ing, Charnley, Salthouse, Pett, Dawson; subs: Bamba, Mullen, Gibson.