However, despite the convincing score line, this was a very close game and going in to the last ten minutes, there was only one goal between the two sides.
Hessle nearly opened the scoring in the tenth minute, when Thornton keeper Ryan Blythe stopped a certain goal, when he outfoxed a Hessle forward in a one-on-one situation. The home side then went close when they hit the bar six minutes later.
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| It's kick off time! Thornton United are playing in the white shirts and black shorts. |
Blythe produced another superb save (high and to his right) five minutes after the restart to deny Hessle another certain goal. Five minutes later, it was the turn of the Hessle keeper to come to his team’s rescue, when he pushed a Deroy White effort around the post (the referee and his assistant failed to spot the save and awarded a goal kick instead of a corner!).
Both sides continued to create chances but it was Thornton who scored the crucial goal in the 81st minute, when a cross from the left was expertly side-footed home on the volley to double their advantage.
The Hessle player’s heads began to drop at 2-0 down and the home side saw an opportunity to kill the game off, which they did with ruthless efficiency, as two quick goals secured a 4-0 win.
Three goals in a six minute spell late in the game did not reflect what had been an even contest for the vast majority of the 90 minutes. In fact, you could even make a case for Thornton’s goal keeper to be their man of the match, as he played a significant part in their victory.
This was the 100th time I have watched a game in the FA Sunday Cup and it was fitting that I achieved this milestone at Manningham Mills in Bradford, which was the ground where I watched my first football game, way back in March 1984.
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| Above is what is left of Manningham Mills stand which was built 80 years ago in preparation for an FA Amateur Cup tie against Northern Nomads. The ground is now home to Campion of the West Riding County Amateur League. |
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