Following two extremely close games over the last few months, Egerton Tatton and Davenham once more locked horns for a place in the last eight in the Mid Cheshire League Cup.
Davenham started strongly, looking to keep the ball on the floor and keep the intensity of the football at an optimum, an excellent through ball from midfield found Kennerley in space. The Davenham striker sprinted beyond the Tatton defence, only to see his shot curl inches around the post an early warning sign for Egerton, that Davenham has bags of pace in attack. The Davenham defence of Burrows, Hill, Drinkwater and Wadsworth started strongly, keeping good discipline and tackling strongly. Wadsworth typified the Davenham determination and was unlucky with a rasping shot from outside the box, which just dipped over the bar. Davenham were applying plenty of pressure to the Egerton defence and the technically superb Dufty, drilled in a well placed shot from an acute angle, which went inches wide. Still the half chances came for Davenham and a Kennerley volley whistled just wide. Shaw and Kirkness dominated the midfield battle; After 32 minutes, Kirkness showed great feet to jink past two defenders only to see his effort prodded into the arms of the Tatton keeper. Although Tatton werent breaking down Davenhams well organised defence, they still remained a threat from set pieces and Wallwork was called upon to punch clear anything landing on the 6 yard box. Good delivery from the right flank from Hodnett continued to be a menace for Tatton, however despite prolonged pressure from Davenham, the teams went in 0:0 at half time.
Egerton were visibly tiring and the half time team talk called for patience and to keep to the original game plan. I.e. maintain the momentum of the first half, keep the ball on the floor and move at pace behind the Egerton defence.
The brilliant Shaw and Kirkness continued where they left off, very busy and winning the midfield 50-50 battles. Rogerson brought fresh legs and pace to the cause, which meant that Davenham continued to create half chances. Then after 48 minutes, Kennerley pounced onto a goalmouth scramble and planted an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. 1:0 to the Davenhamers! Kennerleys 23rd goal in 14 matches.
It wasnt long after that Whitney (whos energetic performance pleased the coaches), made the most of indecision in the Egerton defence, muscling past one defender, before rounding the keeper to tap in his eighth goal of the season and more importantly Davnhams 2nd. 2:0 to the Goldmen! The well disciplined defence seemed to null the Egerton attack, however a needlessly conceded corner let the homeboys back in as they realised their threat from the set piece. This set up a tense last 10 minutes as Egerton through everything at an attempt for an equaliser. A freekick conceded on the edge of the Davenham box, presented a final chance which was headed against the upright. Nearly extra time, again for the Goldmen, however they held out for a convincing 2:1 away victory and a place in the last eight.
