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On a bitterly cold day and with a pretty much full a strength side, Quilligans took on Poulton at Elswick, hoping to progress in the semi-finals of the competition. The wind made playing any decent football difficult, with Poulton having the benefit of it in the first period.
Sugden had the best opportunity of the opening exchanges when he combined well with Catlow to go clean through on goal, but was denied by a smart save from the Poulton keeper.
Quilligans were giving silly free kicks in and around the danger area, and it was one of these that led to Poulton taking the lead. A Bracewell handball gave Poulton an opportunity some 30 yards out. The ball was clipped into the box which forced a parry from Clowes, but it wasn't sufficient enough to stop the ball going into the net with the wind helping it on its way.
Poulton were trying to use wind to pump long balls over the Quilligans back four and latch onto them, with Quilligans attempting to play some football. Ioannou went close when his swivel and shot was brilliantly cleared off the line.
Boal was booked for a nasty challenge on a Poulton player and can consider himself lucky to escape without being given his marching orders. Poulton had the chance to increase their lead, but blasted over from inside the area.
Half-time 1-0
Quilligans came out for the second half in determined mood playing some good football at times, with a couple of half chances from Rowe going wide. Poulton responded with a good break upfield but blasted over when in a good position.
Catlow then had an effort saved, with Ioannou not quite able to get to the rebound. Quilligans finally equalised on 66 minutes when a good ball upfield found Sugden, who turned his man and finished with aplomb. Wilson replaced Ioannou on 67 minutes.
Poulton very nearly regained the lead, Thompson was left beaten on the flank and a shot fired across Clowes went agonisingly wide. Quilligans then nearly took the lead themselves when Wilson found himself through on goal only to be denied by the legs of the Poulton keeper. The Poulton keeper had to be on his toes again when he parried away another Quilligans effort.
With the clock running down Quilligans took the lead. Catlow found Rowe around 25 yards out who sent a curling speculative effort goalbound, taking a deflection off Porter on the way to the top corner.
Just before the final whistle Poulton were reduced to 10 men.
Full-time 1-2.
Scorers
Sugden 66, Rowe 86.
Team
Clowes, Pearson, Swallow, Thompson, Palmer, Bracewell, Ioannou (Wilson 67), Boal, Rowe, Pearson, Catlow.
Substitutes
Wilson, West, Perry-Acton.
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