FA CUP JOY
FA CUP
HINCKLEY’S Leicester Road FC despatched their second successive opponents from a higher level as they controlled the second half to set up a home tie against Kirby Muxloe in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup.
In the preliminary round game versus Harborough Town FC at the weekend the honours were shared at half-time but two second half goals ensured the hosts progressed.
With a stiff breeze making things difficult for both teams, a decent-sized crowd settled down to enjoy this cup-tie between the two county neighbours.
Callum O’Sullivan retained his place after coming on as substitute at Pelsall and it was he who tested the Harborough keeper early on, with the keeper making sure the score stayed level.
Harborough Town were also well in the game and soon after home keeper Will Highland was happy to see a header flash past the post.
Leicester Road were playing an expansive game using both flanks well and it was via one such move that they took the lead. After a scramble in the box with the keeper preventing the first attempt, Tom McGlinchey was on hand to fire home the rebound to give Leicester Road the lead.
This stung the visitors into action and with much prompting and encouragement from the bench they began to put the home side under pressure.
Theo Brown did well to get back to thwart a Harborough Town attack and soon after a snapshot went narrowly wide as the Harborough Town front line came more into the game prompted by Billy Shepherd.
It was Shepherd who converted a half chance on 20 minutes from a suspiciously offside looking position but the referee waved away the Leicester Road appeals and the visitors were level.
Both sides were now providing a fast and entertaining game for the enthusiastic crowd and a Harborough shot was well blocked to keep the scores level.
At the other end Matty Stenson did well to set up Callum O’Sullivan but yet again his shot was well saved by the Harborough keeper, keeping the score at one all at the break.
As the second half kicked off both sides were testing the resolve of the other and chances were few and far between as the defences remained on top.
Leicester Road were relying on balls through to their front two with the midfield joining in to provide the support. It was from one of these moves that Leicester Road were provided with an opportunity to take the lead.
A ball down the right hand side was hooked into the Harborough box by Callum O’Sullivan and as Tom McGlinchey challenged for the ball he was brought down for an obvious penalty.
Matty Stenson took responsibility for the spot kick but the keeper went down well to his right to save the kick to see the scores remain level. The hosts weren’t to be denied for long however and within a minute they had gone up field and as Stenson provided the through ball, skipper Greg Downes restored the Leicester Road lead with a cool finish into the bottom corner bringing the score to 2-1.
Leicester Road continued to put pressure on the visitors and it was Stenson again who put Callum O’Sullivan through on the keeper who denied his effort.
Soon after Jake Holt made his return to the Leicester Road formation and he quickly helped to maintain the pressure on the visitors. The tie was finally settled as the clock moved towards the final whistle when Stenson took a pinpoint through ball from McGlinchey, drew the keeper and slotted the ball past him to confirm the result.