Ambers Cup run over for another season

Richard Tootle came into the starting eleven in place of Stuart Ludlam in the only change from Saturday’s game as The Ambers were looking to cause a massive FA Cup upset at Broadhurst Park, the home of FC United of Manchester. After Saturday’s pulsating draw, hopes were high although, realistically, a tie against opposition from three divisions higher was always going to be a tough challenge.
And so it proved, as The Ambers were punished as early as the 4th minute when a throw in went astray leaving a yawning gap in defence which was ruthlessly exploited by the home side. McCarthy raced through, and although his goal bound effort was saved by Chris Butt, the ball was recycled and firmly driven home by Connor.
The Ambers reacted well to this early setback and as on Saturday, it was Danny Buttle who was leading the charge with a couple of good runs and tasty crosses which at least let the United defenders know that they would be in for a busy night.
Unfortunately, having failed to convert during this spell, The Ambers were hit by two goals in three minutes to effectively kill the game. Firstly, a quick break down the left created the opportunity for Gilchrist to fire home from the edge of the box, although Butt will have been a touch disappointed not to keep out the shot, and shortly after, The Ambers were caught out by a quickly taken free kick and cross which was met at the back stick by the dangerous McCarthy and his venomous volley flew into the net.
To their credit, The Ambers did not let their heads drop, and with Buttle a willing outlet, they spent a fair amount of time in the United half. A great opportunity to get back into the game was spurned when Aaron Moxam could only shoot straight at Allinson after Buttle set him up in front of goal, and the striker then just failed to get on to a Thornton flick after United got sloppy in midfield and gave the ball away in a dangerous area.
As the game entered a fairly even stage approaching half time, a great break by the home side once again opened up The Ambers back line and impressive substitute Logan picked his spot beautifully to make it 4-0 to the hosts. Simon Harrison was introduced just before the interval and showed some good early touches before dragging a shot narrowly wide.
The second half began with a change in formation to 3-5-2, and Jon Froggatt up top alongside Moxam, and the sub’s first involvement was to meet a Harrison free kick with a ferocious volley which Allinson took the sting out of before a defender hooked the ball off the line. Whether it was the formation, or whether United had took their foot off the pedal, the first fifteen minutes of the half were being dominated by the visitors and Harrison had a shot saved at the foot of the post, before United broke out and scored a fifth out of nothing, McCarthy once again on target after turning well in the box.
Jon Hill was brought on to add some height in the attacking third, but Handsworth were indebted to Butt who made a point blank save when Nicholas looked sure to score a sixth for United. Still The Ambers would not lie down and after a Micky Harcourt volley was tipped over the bar by Allinson, the resulting corner was swept in on the half volley by Ozzy Radford to give the travelling Ambers something to cheer.
Unbelievably, within two minutes, The Ambers scored again when Radford sent Hill away down the right and he played in Pat Lindley to score an almost identical goal to the one he scored on Saturday, albeit from the other side of the box. Did we dare to dream, was the comeback on?
Sadly, no! Two minutes from time, the game’s best player McCarthy completed his hat trick when he raced into the box and lifted the ball over Butt from close range to finish things off.
So, The Ambers didn’t quite reach the heady heights of last season and the Third Qualifying Round, but it was a good effort overall and the victory at Skelmersdale will be long remembered.

HE Barnes Man of The Match – Danny Buttle