Hat Trick hero Jack Williams caused the home team problems all afternoon

FA County Youth Cup Match Report

Lancashire FA through to the 3rd Round

FA County Youth Cup – Round 2
North Riding FA v Lancashire FA
Saturday 18th October 2014

Current holders Lancashire FA travelled to Middlesbrough to face North Riding FA in Round 2 of the National Competition. Played on a challenging surface, Lancashire started the defence of this prestigious youth competition positively and took the game to the home team in the opening exchanges. North Riding also played an adventurous attacking game and forced Lancashire keeper Josh Powell to make two outstanding saves in the first 20 minutes.

Lancashire took the lead in the 23rd minute when a low cross from Matt Blackley was calmly side footed into the corner by Jack Williams. The rest of the half was evenly played and Lancashire took the one nil lead into the half time break.

The second half had a scrappy start with a couple of yellow cards being branded by the referee. The home team were then reduced to ten men on 62 minutes when Lancashire full back Danny Pugh was stamped on by a North Riding player right in front of the referee, who had no option than to dismiss the offender.

On 73 minutes, Williams doubled the lead for the visitors when he smashed the ball past the advancing keeper after good work by Patrick Bibby. North Riding had an excellent opportunity to pull a goal back from the re-start, but Alex Robinson fired the ball over the bar from 6 yards out.

Lancashire then took full control of the last 15 minutes of the game with substitute Tom Hartley rattling the crossbar before Jack Williams completed his hat trick from close range. Substitute Ellis Heyes finished the scoring in time added on with a spectacular drive from the edge of the area to give the holders a comfortable four nil advantage.

Lancashire will play Kent or Huntingdonshire at The County Ground, Leyland on a date to be confirmed