Wythenshawe Town 0 Elton Vale 1 (aet): AFTER more than a month with no action, Elton Vale were handed a re-arranged Air Miles Murray Trophy quarter final tie to sharpen their teeth on for 2005.

In league games against the same opposition the Vale had dominated the encounters yet only came out with a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 win, this game was no different.

Extremely windy conditions had dried the pitch sufficiently for the game to proceed but also brought an unknown factor as it swirled in all directions around the ground.

In defence, Holland, Hannon, Wilkes, Dearden and Keegan all did their bit to snuff out any effective threat that Wythenshawe could muster on the day.

Ironically, as it was to turn out, it was Steve Smith who got the ball into the back of the net as early as the third minute but his effort was ruled offside.

The best move of the match so far involving Keegan and Malius put Smith through on goal but his shot allowed the custodian to save fairly easily.

Two minutes later another break into the opposing area allowed Smith a shooting chance but it finished high in the trees behind the goal.

Lee Dickinson was presented with an identical chance before half time but his shot hit the same tree!

The first attack of the second period involved Hannon Smith and Dickinson down the right and the final cross could have been poked home by either side as it shot across the front of goal.

Wythenshawe nearly got a gift as Matt Hannon was robbed in the area but was saved further embarrasment by the centre forward losing control and Holland seeing the opportunity to smother the ball.

Elton had begun to play a lot of constructive football and were getting into dangerous positions, on the quarter Dave Malius took advantage to hammer a volley against the bar and away to safety.

The same player then took advantage of a rare slip by the opposing centre-half and teed up Smith in front of goal, this time the keeper made up a lot of ground to make an impressive save.

Before the end of the ninety minutes Dave Malius was give two similar chances to snatch a result as he outstripped a tiring defence but failed to convert either.

Thirty minutes of extra time seems to pass very quickly compared to normal time.

As the game progressed into the final period the deadlock was finally broken and the consistent Elton pressure rewarded as Malius broke into the penalty area only to see his shot blocked, this time the bounce was favourable as Howson followed up to hit the ball home from 10 yards.

A welcome victory that helps to keep the interest alive as the Vale go head to head with promotion rivals in the next couple of weeks.

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The reserve squad played above themselves to get a 2-2 draw against third-placed Wythenshawe Amateurs Keith Sellars and Gary Davenport got the goals.