Extra time too much for Boro

REUSCH CUP FIRST ROUND BACUP BOROUGH ........... 1 CHADDERTON................. 2

BACUP Borough were knocked out of the Reusch Cup at the first round stage after an extra time defeat to Chadderton.

Bacup were without the services of Nathan Emery and Adrian Bellamy who were both suspended, while captain Kelvin Trippier has undergone surgery on a recurring foot injury.

The side were able to welcome back Darcy O’Connor and Gareth Wager though, who both missed the previous league win at Daisy Hill.

Bacup completely dominated first half possession with Ashley Leather proving to be too much for the Chadderton defence, constantly getting in behind and creating real opportunities for his side.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Bacup reduced Chadderton to one long range effort from Matthew Crothers, which went narrowly wide of the post.

Despite Bacup’s dominance, it took them 44 minutes to break the deadlock but when it did eventually come it was a good executed move.

Leather showed his pace to get beyond his full back before cutting inside and delivering a perfect cross for the advancing Johnathan Thompson to head his side into a slender half-time lead.

Chadderton came out for the second half in typical determined mood and for the first time in the game they were posing quite a threat, breaking through midfield with ease before a great strike from Matthew Crothers brought a good save from Aaron Ashley, tipping the ball over.

At this stage Bacup had to withstand some good penetrating pressure from the visitors but it was Bacup that should have doubled their lead when Thompson sent Anthony Hall through on goal, but somehow he couldn’t find the net. Bacup were forced into a change when Jordan Rutter had to leave the pitch, and was replaced by Ashley Mihell, who was making his first appearance for the club.

Chadderton were soon on level terms after Bacup failed to get back into shape, allowing midfielder Samuel Gibson to make an unopposed run and make no mistake with the finish.

The away side then almost then took the lead when Matthew Crothers ghosted in unopposed before forcing another top drawer save from Ashley.

Bacup were certainly second best in the middle of the park at this stage, and it was inevitable another change would follow as Luke Podmore was introduced to replace Jamie Higgins.

The next opportunity fell to Davison Banda, but Michael Smith in the Chadderton goal turned his effort behind.

In the first period of extra time, sustained pressure from Bacup ended with Lloyd Bannister being red carded for the visitors after one foul too many on Hall.

Despite having 10 men, Chadderton took the lead in the second period of extra time when Samuel Gibson found the net.

Bacup pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t find one.