DIVISION I side Shepley are through to the last eight of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup.
They beat Swallownest Miners Welfare 4-3, but only after extra-time.
The Sheffield-based opposition (who didn’t lose a game in winning their league last season) provided a stern test for Shepley and they started off strongly with a succession of early corners.Š
On seven minutes, one of these led to the first goal for Swallownest after a loose ball in the box was fired home from close range.
ŠDespite conceding a number of free-kicks around the edge of the area, Swallownest were unable to capitalise and Shepley responded well and equalised on 15 minutes, Danny Ingham crossing into the box for Gary Bradley to direct a solid header into the bottom corner.
ŠThe rest of the half saw Swallownest put increasing pressure on Tom Pinder’s goal and a break before half-time led to the save of the match – Pinder diving full length to stop a strong header reaching the corner of the net with a one-handed save.
ŠAfter the break, Shepley created the better chances – but it wasn’t until 10 minutes from the end that they went in front.
Shepley were awarded a penalty after Ingham was brought down from behind and Lyam Gill calmly wrong-footed the keeper for 2-1.
ŠHowever, Shepley were caught in the last minute as a Swallownest corner was again poked home from close range to make it 2-2.Š
ŠDespite this, Shepley still didn’t give up and, into stoppage time, two separate attacks saw Ingham hit the bar and Gill hit the inside of a post after rounding the keeper – the ball going across the goal to safety.
ŠShepley started extra-time as they finished the 90 minutes – on top.
And they quickly made it 3-2.Š Ingham broke through the Swallownest defence and checked back onto his right foot at the corner of the area, curling his shot into the opposite corner.
ŠThe fourth Shepley goal came just before the extra-time break, again through Ingham – this time slotting the ball between two defenders on the line after the keeper had saved attempts from Sam Haigh and the impressive Gill.
A lapse in concentration in the last minute of extra-time enabled Swallownest to score their third, but there was little time for them to push for the equaliser and Shepley ran out deserved winners.
