Lancs Schools Under 19s Cup Quarter Final

Habergham 1 St Theodore's 3

THIS turned out to be about the highs and lows of two centre halves.

St Theodores' Laurie Cryer and Habergham's Nathan Flynn who both made their mark on a thrilling cup clash.

Cryer was pushed into the forward line because he was carrying and injury -- and ended scoring a goal and laying on another. Flynn also got onto the scoresheet with a bullet of a header which levelled the tie. But unfortunately it was Flynn who slipped at a crucial moment and let the Saints grab a vital third goal.

But it all added to a quite frantic cup tie in which both sides played their full part.

After an open first 20 minutes, St Theodores took the lead when Habergham's defence failed to clear the ball and Cryer was on hand to fire the loose ball home.

However, Habergham's response was almost immediate for they were level five minutes later.

David Beet curled in a corner and Flynn rose to head home a tremendous thumping header.

Sohrab Rafiq and Andrew Stubbs then combined for Habergham but Rafiq was denied by a flying save from James Dacey who turned his shot onto the bar.

But just before the break, Saints regained the lead when Cryer crossed from the right and Daniel Locke turned the ball home from close range.

After the break Habergham pushed forward looking for another equaliser but they found Mark McNicholson in formidable form in the heart of the Saints defence.

And when he was beaten, Dacey pulled off two more great saves.

Habergham were to rue their missed opportunities and they were taught a lesson in finishing by Iain Laing. The skilful forward latched on to the ball after Flynn's untimely slip to chip the advancing Michael Sheridan with a wonder lob from 30 yards.

St Theodore's could have extended their lead in the final 10 minutes as Habergham piled forward.

But this time it was Sheridan who was called into action who made a number of fine saves in one-on-one situations.

HABERGHAM: Michael Sheridan, Ashley Griffiths, Nathan Flynn, Chris Brennan, Russell Walsh David Beet, Gary Ingham, Andrew Stubbs, Sohrab Rafiq, Ashley Whelan and Jahanzaib Malik.

ST THEODORE'S: James Dacey, David Harris, John Paul Simpson, James Short, Mark McNicholson, Robert Ayling, Terry Whittaker, Elliot Flannagan, Iain Laing, Daniel Locke and Laurie Cryer