The home side started strongly and but for an outstanding first half performance by Westmorland keeper J Fiddler could have been out of sight by half time.

A free kick from the edge of the penalty from B Dufton-Kelly on 12 minutes was saved well by Fiddler.

The home side had two players cautioned E Byrne (20 minutes) for persistent misconduct and K Jones for a trip on 33 minutes.

Byrne was unlucky when his shot from the edge of the penalty area hit the bar on 25 minutes.

Totally against the run of play Westmorland were unlucky not to take the lead when J Brench shot wide on a couple of occasions (24 minutes and 34minutes)

Cheshire deservedly took the lead on 35 minutes when Dufton-Kelly tapped in from close range following good work on the left. 

At the other end Cheshire keeper J Martin saved easily from a long range shot by Brench.

Westmorland keeper, Fiddler brought off a series of three excellent saves on 37 minutes as the visitors struggled to keep the deficit to just one goal.

He again saved a free kick well on 43 minutes but L Cawley reacted quickest and tapped in from close range to make it two nil.

Two late cautions in this half Cheshire’s E Gumbs (43 minutes) and Westmorland’s J Woodruff (44 minute) late tackle.

Half Time:   Cheshire County FA 2 Westmorland County FA 0

Following strong words from the Westmorland coaching staff it was a complete reversal in the second half with Martin, the Cheshire goalkeeper having to work hard to keep his team in the game.

On 50 minutes Jack Brench saw his shot deflected wide, two minutes later Josh Casson’s header was also deflected wide.

A Dan Jones shot was well saved on 73 minutes. As they pushed on to get back into the game the visitors were unfortunate to have Woodruff sent off for his second caution on 75 minutes.

This did not detract from their efforts with a Casson long range shot hitting the bar on 76 minutes, but almost immediately and totally against the run of play Cheshire broke quickly to  made it 3-0 when Gumbs shot home.

Westmorland did not give up and got one back on 87 minutes when J Matthews shot home from close range following good work on the left by Casson.  In the last minute of the game Brench saw his shot well saved again by the Cheshire keeper.

Although very disappointed with the first half performance the Westmorland coaching staff George Gudgeon, Tosh Farrell and Chris Huxter were delighted by how their team came back in the second half.

Full Time: Cheshire County FA 3 Westmorland County FA 1

Teams:-

Cheshire County FA

J Martin, K Jones, B Dufton-Kelly, L Cawley, D O’Riordan, S Holt, J Baker, E Byrne, K Boyle, E Gumbs, R Gill

Subs: Ross Martin, James Cafferty, Nathan O’Kome, Paul Keenan, Dan Lomas

Westmorland County FA

J Fiddler, B Colloby, D Ashton, D Jones, G Key, J Woodruff,  J Casson, B Kenny, J Brench, G Hornby, J Bennett,

Subs:  Kieran Hunter, Jacob Matthews, David Seaton

Referee:                      S Cummings

Assistant Referee:       D Whitfield and J Turner

4^th Official :                  M Williams