Jeff Walton Memorial Cup Semi Final - Lancs & Cheshire 0-1 CFL

The last time these two teams met was also in this competition, with Lancs and Cheshire running out 3-0 winners. This was a very different affair, as Cheshire dominated from start to finish. In just the 4th minute, Burgess nipped in, to take a pass off the defender’s toe, drove into the box, and was just about to shoot, when he was upended by the recovering defender, who escaped without even a card! The penalty was taken by Danny Clarke, but was met by a superb save from the home team 'keeper.
Cheshire were relentless, pressing high up the pitch and forcing mistakes. Owens made great inroads on the right, finding Yuille with a great cross, but his volley was fired straight at the 'keeper from point blank range.
On 15 minutes, it was penalty number 2. A long Clarke throw was flicked on by Yuille, and a clear hand ball led to the spot kick. This time Owens stepped up, and again the 'keeper reached wide to his left to keep the ball out. Three huge let offs for the home team. Owens then went close again, as Pickford found him and his curling shot struck the upright.
Next up was Clarke, cutting in from the left, and unleashing a thunderous strike which whistled millimetres past the post. Throughout the whole eleven, the football was excellent, keeping the ball superbly from front to back.

Half time 0-0

The start of the second half saw Lancs and Cheshire enjoy a better spell, as they pushed the impressive number 4 further up the pitch, but Yuille, dominant over him all game, turned the screw, regaining the upper hand. On 55 mins, Owens cut in with some meat footwork from the right, and when one on one, coolly sidefooted past the goalkeeper.
Burgess led the line immaculately, and began to link well with Pickford, the latter breaking from midfield numerous times to start attacks. Wilson took a heavy blow, from one of many hefty and late challenges from the home side, and it looked to be taking its toll. Clarke cut in from the left and shot when Burgess was well placed to double the lead.
Against the run of play, the home team should have equalised. A good cross from the right was met by the late run of the midfielder but his volley was fired wide when it looked almost a certain goal.
Shortly after, Tyrer came to collect a cross and missed, allowing an almost free shot to the forward from 18 yards, but the effort was weak and trickled wide.
Cheshire saw the remainder of the game out well and were largely untroubled, and could have furthered the lead with chances for Burgess and Bandell.
A great performance and deserving winners.

Manger Jimmy Bush-
"The boys were immense. We fully expected a physical battle, and that's exactly what we got. What was most pleasing was how we more than matched their physical game, and didn't rise to any bait with the late challenges etc. that just allowed us to let our football come through, which it did. Every player was brilliant, but I have to single out George Burgess. He was like a warrior up there. I'd love to know how much ground he covered. We can do better than this though. There are big games coming up and we will need to be more clinical if we are to be successful. It's great to have a final to look forward to. The lads deserve that after the work they've put in!"

Team
1. Aaron Tyrer (Linotype CHN)
2. Scott Beattie (Knutsford)
3. Sean Lynch (Knutsford)
4. Callum Wilson (Rylands)
5. Steve Jenyons (C) (Knutsford)
6. Adam Coleman (Eagle)
7. Danny Clarke (Garswood United)
8. James Pickford (Knutsford)
9. George Burgess (Whaley Bridge)
10. Phil Yuille (Linotype CHN)
11. David Owens (Knutsford)

Subs
12. Connor Yarwood(Greenalls PSO)
13. Nathan Williams (Eagle)
14. Liam Myers (Knutsford)
15. Tom Swann (Rylands)
16. Chris Bandell (Warrington Town res)

MOM George Burgess