Football: Junction through in cup thriller

Feb 18 2010

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION 4 MOCHDRE SPORTS 3

BARRITT Cup holders Junction advanced to the quarter-finals on Saturday but only after a pulsating end-to-end encounter against Clwyd League underdogs Mochdre.

After a lively opening Junction took the lead when captain Simon Kay hit a long free-kick that bounced in front of Aaron Spencer and from a very tight angle he smashed a volley into the top of the net.

Minutes later the same player netted again but was adjudged offside.

Mochdre certainly did not lie down and attacked with real purpose, Robbie Knowles always a danger man on the ball.

But Junction increased their lead when a cross from the left found Mike Lundstram whose effort went over the line to make it 2-0.

Not long after Mochdre were awarded a free-kick from 30 yards out and up stepped Knowles to thunder a fierce shot past Liam Ewing in the home side's goal.

Junction's Jake Cassidy hit the upright in the dying moments of the first half and come the interval it remained 2-1 to the Railwaymen.

In the second half Junction increased their lead when Jake Cassidy mis-hit his first effort but managed to head the ball home at the second attempt.

Mochdre then pulled a goal back with a great Danny Ashe finish from a tight angle and with the game switching to and fro, Junction were awarded a penalty when Joel Hewitt was upended in the box.

Up stepped Lundstram to make the score 4-2 but Sports were not finished and notched their third late on through Knowles.

The visitors also had a player sent off in the dying moments.

Junction manager Shane Cartwright commented: "We managed to squeeze through to the next round and certainly won ugly today.

"Mochdre didn't give us any time on the ball and made it very difficult for us and fully deserve recognition in a pulsating game for supporters but not for the managers."

Junction travel to Gap Connah's Quay in the quarter-finals and this Saturday Cartwright's men visit Amlwch Town in the Welsh Alliance League.