Dock travelled to Woodley Sports Centre near Stockport, to take on Queens Bredbury for their second round clash in the Cheshire Sunday Cup. Dock took a strong squad and were well supported by a vociferous following which had set off early from Birkenhead. The fans were well rewarded when the Dockers continued their recent fine form to deservedly go through to the next round.
Both sides started the game somewhat cautiously, with Dock getting to grips with the all-weather surface and the strong wind. Each side had some decent possession, but there were no clear cut chances within the first half hour, with both teams having shots from outside the box, which troubled neither ‘keeper.
Queen’s right back, Needham was struggling with a groin injury, which Dock’s left winger Kynan Mason was trying hard to exploit. Dock forced a corner on 31 minutes, from which they took the lead. Matty Carlin (pictured below) won a towering header on the penalty spot and although Boyle in the home goal saved, Mark Head reacted the quickest and from just inside the six yard box fired home the rebound.
Queen’s then took off the injured Needham who was replaced by Sidebottom, with Liam Millen reverting from right wing to full-back. There then followed a period of scrappy play, with the referee having to produce yellow cards for homers Millen and substitute Sidebottom. A further skirmish just on half time saw Mike McGraa and Queen’s Stanton booked for another flare up. This was Stanton’s second yellow, so his game ended on the stroke of half time with a red card.
HT: Queen’s 0-1 Dock.
Queen’s started with more purpose at the start of the second half and Dempsey tried his luck from 25 yards, but the shot sailed well over Martyn Stevenson’s goal. Dock’s back four, marshalled by captain Paul Byrne, were repelling any attacks Queens had to offer and they were ably assisted by the hard working Steve Owen, and the central midfield pairing of Karl and Jon Clampitt. Makeshift Queen’s full back Mullin was a lucky lad on 50 minutes, when what looked like a foul on Mason went unpunished. It looked like any offence would have produced a second yellow for him.
Dock’s full backs Charters and Wingfield were now managing to push on against the ten men, supplementing a wave of Dock attacks. On 55 minutes, Head spurned a great chance when put through by Jon Clampitt and on 63 minutes, Steve Owen was thwarted by Boyle when clear through after a Head pass. Ian McGraa then came on for Mark Head and on 83 minutes he set up Dock’s second, when he cleverly found Mike McGraa from the byline, for the Dock centre forward to nod home from close range (pictured above celebrating his goal).
Two minutes later, Queen’s pulled a goal back when Millen hit a left footed screamer into the top of Stevenson’s net, after a cross from the impressive Hockley was only half cleared. However, any worries for the Dock support were soon dispelled, when Kynan Mason raced onto a fine through ball form Mike McGraa to slot home the third, whilst Queen’s were pushing for an equalizer.
From the re-start, the referee blew the final whistle, to confirm a fine win for the visitors. After the game, the visiting contingent were invited to the Queen’s local hostelry, where another exciting game at Loftus Road was viewed. Thanks for the hospitality, Queens, and good luck for the rest of the season!
FT: Queen’s 1-3 Dock.
Dock has been drawn away to Rock Ferry in round 3 scheduled for 16th November.
Dock. 4-4-2 (with substitues in brackets).
Stevenson, Charters, Bryne, Carlin, Wingfield, Mason, C. Clampitt, J. Clampitt, Owen, Head (I McGraa), M. McGraa.
Report: PETER WARBURTON
Photos: CHRIS STADING
