Phillips goal sees Ambers through in FA Cup

The quest for FA Cup glory began for The Ambers in the unlikely setting of Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Greater Manchester, at the home of Maine Road FC, a club formed over sixty years ago by a group of Manchester City supporters. After rising gradually through the leagues, they suffered a setback last season as they were relegated into the North West Counties League Division One South, but with the appointment of a new Management Team, will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.
With Jordan Turner missing out through injury, there was a first start for Cameron Rigby and a change in formation for The Ambers, and the visitors endured a nervy start to the game, not helped by the uneven bounce from a bone dry pitch. The first chance fell to the home side when left winger O’Brien raced clear but he hit his shot well off target from a promising position. Rigby then scuffed his shot after some promising build up play by The Ambers, before home skipper Thompson held off Lee Cooksey and fired in a shot which had Phil Barnes scampering across his line, but was just off target.
It was an even contest so far, and Jon Froggatt was next to try his luck when he thudded a 25 yard volley wide after the busy Steve Istead had made a good interception in the centre of the park. A high challenge from Jake Currie drew an unfortunate yellow card midway through the half before The Ambers almost took the lead when Cooksey’s header from a corner was cleared off the line, before Jed Phillips hit a volley over from a good position shortly afterwards. Thompson repeated his earlier run and shot to keep The Ambers back line on their toes and the experienced striker was clearly the danger man for the hosts.
However, The Ambers were well in control at this stage, and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 33 minutes. Ozzy Radford’s long throw was flicked on by Cooksey and Phillips was on hand to knock the ball in at the far post for his third goal of the season. The midfielder almost doubled the lead before half time when his stretching effort from a Froggatt cross was saved on the line by home keeper Downhill.
The home side’s Manager made a couple of substitutions at the break and it was soon evident that he had noted the amount of time that had been offered to The Ambers players in the first half, as the Mancunians closed down their opponents a lot sooner in the second period.
The game got rather niggly with minor scuffles breaking out all over the pitch at various times and the referee gave out a few warnings before reverting to his cards to re-gain some control. A Phillips header and a Thompson shot were exchanged without success before Cooksey missed a glorious chance to put the tie to bed, the centre back volleying well over from close range.
Ollie Fearon and Josh Hemmingway were introduced from the bench to provide a more physical presence at the expense of Rigby and Currie, and the experienced heads of Istead and James Ashmore helped The Ambers to close out the game without any further scares.
Congleton Town await in the next Round, affording The Ambers the opportunity to exact some revenge following a defeat in the 2015 – 2016 season at the same stage.