Our journey in the Manchester Premier Cup unfortunately came to an end on Wednesday with a 4-2 defeat on penalties after a goalless ninety minutes against a strong Glossop North End side.
Despite the cold dark night, the game did not lack passion and within just a few minutes, Glossop saw their manager sent off from the dugout after a heated discussion with the referee. Minutes later, Kane Wallwork had the opening chance of the game as he found space on the edge of the area to shoot, but his shot was well saved by Glossop goalkeeper Louis Hood.
Wallwork was again the catalyst for the second chance of the night, driving forward and finding another opportunity to get in a shot but this time Hood was down low left to his left to keep the game goalless. Just after the hour mark Glossop fought back when captain Lee Wilshaw got on the end of a well weighted corner, but his header bounced up and over Grant Shenton’s crossbar.
With five minutes left of the first half, Jacques Etia was played in behind the Avro defence to face the onrushing Shenton and his pass left his teammate with what looked like an open goal,but after some brave blocks by Tommy Lent and Adam Owen, Sam Rathbone was there to save the day as he heroically cleared the ball off the goal line. Moments later Ethan Sutcliffe was through on goal after a long kick from Shenton and it looked like he would open the scoring after he rounded Hood, but Coker was there to block his powerful attempt on the line and keep his side in the game.
The second half was one of fewer opportunities, although in the 54th minute Shaquille Lewys close range effort was well kept out by Hood. Sutcliffe then latched onto a lofted ball but his subsequent shot was dragged wide of the left post. With 10 minutes remaining, Etia fancied his chances and struck one goalwards, forcing a superb save from Shenton to deny the visitors, and ultimately send the game to penalties as no further chances arose.
The penalty shoot out was one to forget. Glossop managed to score four of their five penalties, with Shenton saving the other one. However, only Kyle Harrop and Jake Cottrell were able to find the net for the home side, meaning that our involvement in the Manchester Premier Cup is over for another year.
