This was our first meeting with Dukinfield Youth for a couple of years so this would be a good measure of where we are compared to 1st division opposition. As this was also the semi final of the Primary Cup aggregate scores counted so we needed to do well in both games.

The first game started well and whilst there wasn’t a furore of chances we looked comfortable at the back and had our fair share of possession. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when a mix up in our box presented Dukinfield with a simple tap in to go ahead and this was quickly followed by a second. The boys didn’t panic and from a Dukinfield corner we broke quickly with Louis receiving the ball on the half way line, turning, beating his man and playing a great ball for the on rushing Ferguson who tucked the ball into the corner of the net getting us back in the game.

As the game went on we seemed to lose our way a little and they scored two more without reply. We had our fair share of possession, we had our chances to score but perhaps we showed them a little too much respect when we should have got stuck into them, denied them space and believed in our own ability.

The second game was a completely different game; from the outset we looked sharp and strong and had a couple of early opportunities to score which may have gone in on another day. Despite our pressure it was Dukinfield who opened the scoring, they got in behind us down the right wing and their winger fired a great shot into the far corner.

The boys didn’t let the goal spoil their game and they immediately set about getting level and when Max was put in down the left channel there was only going to be one result and that was a goal. We continued to dominate possession and Dan and Tom were exceptional at the back mopping everything up and playing the ball forward at every opportunity. We were a little unlucky to be 1-1 at half time and they were determined to win the game second half.

We needed 3 goals to take the tie to penalties, a big ask, but they tried and tried. Some great interplay with Melly and Max resulted in our second goal and but for their keeper making two or three great saves, Max hitting the post and two or three going wide we could have sneaked it and made it a lot closer than the score line suggests.

The tie ended 5-3 for Dukinfield and both games were played in good spirit with some really good football from both teams but I’d like to add that our boys did us proud today and if they continue to improve as they are then they’ll turn into some really good footballers.