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A cold frosty day greeted the teams at Collins Park, but thankfully no wind or rain to spoil the game, and no danger of it being frozen off as the rising sun thawed out the frost quickly.
Quilligans got quickly out of the blocks and Kevan Ford rose majestically in the 4th minute form a corner to head Quilligans into a 1-0 lead - a great start.
Quilligans continued to dominate the first half and stretched Station constantly. Thompson, Ford and Morris comfortably dealt with any attacking threats from them, whilst Broadbent and Spedding were a constant threat up front.
Quilligans missed two great chances to extend their advantage. Firstly, Tom Porter made a great run down the flank, cut inside but dragged his shot wide of the far upright. Then Lee Broadbent powered in to the box and hit the side netting with the goal at his mercy.
Half-time 1-0.
In the second half Station started to come in to the game a lot more and the solid Quilligans rearguard were needed to be on their guard. However referee Alan Young who is one of the top up and coming whistlers around, missed a blatant obstruction on Phil Thompson. This allowed a Station forward to get in a shot which crept past Speight's near post. 1-1.
After that Quilligans missed a couple of good chances to wrap it up inside 90 minutes, both chances went begging.
Full time 1-1.
Quilligans had the best possible start to extra time, a great move down the right involving Mickey Evans and Lee Broadbent ended with Paul Cook firing in from close range. A perfect start to extra time for the home team.
After that Quilligans soaked up any pressure with a minimum of fuss and looked for gaps to appear which they inevitably did. Good work from Lee Broadbent and Jordan Spedding down the right, and the cross found Mickey Evans lurking on the edge of the box, and he coolly picked his spot on put Quilligans in to the semi final.
Final score 3-1.
In summary an excellent performance from Quilligans. Station were no mugs and gave as good as they got in a hard fought and sometimes bruising encounter. However, Quilligans had the lions share of possession and all the best chances.
The Quilligans outstanding defence superbly marshaled by Phil Thompson, repelled everything that came their way. Terrific performance too from all the lads, particularly Jordan Spedding and Steve Palmer and Robbie Boal who all put great shifts in, and got Quilligans deservedly through to the Lancashire Cup semi-finals.
Team
Speight, Ford, Thompson, Morris, Porter, Greenall, Boal, Cook, Palmer, Broadbent, Spedding.
Substitutes
Slater, Evans, Tallentire, Smith, Frend.
Scorers
Ford, Cook, Evans.
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