The last 32 of the LFA Sunday trophy was a home tie against Ingol Rangers. Lostock were still in high spirits after the previous weeks heroics against Victoria. The pitch was a little soggy for the first time this season but that wouldn’t dampen the mood for the boys who were determined to have a go at this trophy after many seasons of underachievement. Tat named the side with Moffatt in goal, Ben Yates at right back, Luke Atherton and Greeny (sweeper) in the centre and Louie ‘the monk’ Wilkinson at left back. Roddy carried on his ever presence on the right with Jamie Sanderson and Mark Edmeads in the middle and belly on the left. Will Yates and John Sanderson started up front.

The game began a little flat for the home side, with a silly free kick given away just outside the 18-yard box. After Moffatt assembled his wall the Ingol player, Nigel Taylor, executed a sweetly struck shot that the keeper could only parry home. 0-1 to Ingol. The home side didn’t take long to respond though. A series of passes along the back four and Roddy sent a beautiful ball over the top leaving YATES one on one with the Ingol keeper, a flick over the top and it was 1-1. Yates then celebrated by performing a “flying karate kick” on the corner flag for some unknown reason resulting in a broken corner flag, a yellow card and an £8 fine – what a silly boy! Only minutes later and this goal fest added its 3rd. Ben Yates crossed for JOHN SANDERSON who was able to take full advantage of the defenders mistake with a calm finish. 2-1. The Ingol back four were all over the place! Again Lostock made mincemeat of these 4 players just 5 minutes later. Louie cleared and JOHN SANDERSON found himself one on one with the keeper, a lovely step over left the keeper on his backside leaving John to tap home. 3-1. EASY! EASY! EASY! Ingol now started to rally and get back into the game, but not before Will could hold up and spot the advancing RODDY who collected the pass and chipped it over the keeper with aplomb. 4-1. Lostock were now defending well but failing to convert their chances at the other end which would hopefully not come back to haunt them like it has so many times in the past. Just before half time Lostock failed to deal with a corner, the ball fell to an Ingol forward who turned and fired home. 4-2 at half time.

Pat Horsfield was pretty content at half time with more of the same needed in the second half. The next goal would be vital in this game and that was the main focus followed by better organisation at the back.

With the 2nd half underway Ingol would looked to get back in the game, however the towering centre half Luke Atherton had other ideas! His no nonsense defending helped Lostock overcome the early charge from Ingol. A few minutes later Mark Edmeads found himself one on one with the keeper unfortunately he was unable to convert the chance. Lostock would need this 5th goal to kill the game off. Ingol couldn’t really unlock the Lostock rearguard at this stage, which proved costly, as Roddy crossed for Yates who headed onto the post leaving JAMIE SANDERSON to fire home and surely send Lostock into the last 16. 5-2. Ingol would now offer little resistance in this tie, as Lostock added a 6th with JOHN SANDERSON completing his hat trick in tremendous style by lobbing the keeper from 50 yards, “a real gem” and a definite contender for the “Goal of the Season” trophy. 6-2. Soon after Belly battered his way to the by-line and sent in a low cross that looked as though it may deceive everyone. Not RODDY, who rushed to the ball and fired into the roof of the net! 7-2. Ingol were allowed a 3rd after 75 minutes with Moffatt beaten at his near post. 7-3. Substitute PHIL WATSON scored the 8th for Lostock on his home debut with a cross shot that just cleared the line after a linesman’s enquiry. 8-3. Ingol scored a header late on to salvage what little pride they had left but AFC Lostock had deserved an 8-4 victory. The team and the management were happy and the treble remains a realistic possibility.

This cup win has hopefully installed a lot of confidence into the Lostock lads ahead of the big match against Greenlands away next Sunday. There would definitely be no love lost there with former Lostock Manager Andy “Cat” Pollitt taking his new post as Greenlands water boy very seriously!

SCORERS:
Will Yates (9 mins)
John Sanderson (12 mins)
John Sanderson (17 mins)
Sean Roddy (27 mins)
Jamie Sanderson (55 mins)
John Sanderson (63 mins)
Sean Roddy (70 mins)
Phil Watson (86 mins)

MOM:
Sean Roddy