MATCH REPORT: Chaddy Crash Out Following Cup Classic

Written by Jacob Jones

Despite showing an incredible level of character and spirit, our Macron Cup journey has come to an end at the quarter final stage. We pulled ourselves back into the game despite being three goals down to AFC Blackpool, but unfortunately, we were bettered on penalties.

We had a lot of early pressure, a big chance coming the way of Robert Flynn, who’s shot was held by the Blackpool goalkeeper. But we still did not have to wait long to open the scoring, Adam Dale taking on the Blackpool centre half and tucking it past the goalkeeper.

But we switched off following the goal, within five minutes, Blackpool had pulled level, it was back to square one.

There were chances for both sides up until half time, most notably a fantastic double save by the opposition goalkeeper, denying both Ethan Sutcliffe and Matty Crothers’ attempts, therefore ensuring that the two teams went into half-time level.

At the start of the second half, we were having our fair share of possession and were very comfortable on the ball. But against the run of play, our opponents headed home from a corner and put our semi final place at risk.

Following this came a collapse, with Blackpool scoring a following two goals and putting us 4-1 behind with the game looking over.

When you are in a position like this, your captain becomes your strength, and we are lucky to have a fantastic skipper in Jordan Schofield. He got us a goal back when he slotted the ball underneath the goalkeeper, but it was still a long way back from here.

That road back became shorter however when Rob Flynn tucked the ball home late on, getting on the end of an impressive cross from Harry Flynn, pulling us right back into the game.

We continued to push for the equaliser, coming agonisingly close at times, hitting the crossbar and seeing chances flash just wide. But it was the ever-reliable Wisdom Bernard who pulled us back level in stoppage time, completing an impressive comeback, taking us to penalties in a game that we looked down and out.

Unfortunately, penalties are always a lottery, and we found ourselves on the wrong end of this shootout. Both sides failed to convert their first penalties but went onto find the back of the net with the following spot kicks. But sadly, James Purfield’s penalty was off target, and we went out of the quarter-final.