Goodwick ease through

Goodwick United made smooth progress into the next round of the Senior Cup after defeating fellow Division One side Milford United in an enthralling game at Marble Hall.

This was the first time that the home side had taken the field after the shock resignation of former manager Dave Hackett and it would have been interesting to see how the team reacted to having Brain Burgoyne in his place.

As it happens, there was no fairy tale ending for Burgoyne although his team did give an excellent account of themselves with Leighton Edwards in particular standing out as a player of real class.

Goodwick are targeting the cup as their only realistic chance of silverware this season. Although they are starting to find some form in the league, a series of early setbacks has scampered their chances of winning the First Division and Sean OConnor feels that they are playing well enough to make an impact on the cup:

We are looking for a good cup run, he said.

We are playing well at the moment. We couldve won by more but its just nice to get through.

Goodwick had most of the possession early on as they played the ball wide in an attempt to stretch the home side defence and Ryan Thomas went close to opening the scoring but saw his shot go just wide of the post.

It was the home side who grabbed the first goal after hitting Goodwick on the break and Leighton Edwards utilised his pace well to get clear of the visiting defence to slip the ball past James Gwilt in Goodwicks goal. Dai Hayes equalised for the visitors from a Steve Blackford free kick which left the score 1-1 at the break.

The second half was similar to the first in terms of intensity as Ryan Thomas increased the lead with a neat shot and then Barry Hayes spectacularly wrapped things up with a scissors kick with ten minutes to go.

Goodwick: James Gwilt, John Bailey, Steve Trivett, Steve Blackford, Dai Hayes, Wayne OSullivan, James Dean, Tom Jones, Barry Hayes, Ryan Thomas, Kevin Bowen. Subs: Karl Lewis, Paul Griffiths, Brian Morris.