Alex Davidson celebrates Gavin Allott’s penalty for Shaw Lane
Shaw Lane Aquaforce booked their FA Trophy first qualifying round tie with Farsley Celtic by comfortably beating struggling New Mills 3-0.
Shaw Lane huffed and puffed for half-an-hour before taking control of the game and easing to a victory that makes up for the shock Emirates FA Cup defeat at Alsager back in August.
The match was always likely to be a formality for Aquaforce as New Mills are yet to record a point in the Evo Stik Division One North.
They have also made Leeds United look normal having already been through three managers since July.
There was a brief scare for the home side in the opening exchanges, but goalkeeper Ian Deakin was on hand to prevent New Mills from taking a shock lead.
Lee Bennett fired Shaw Lane ahead
Gavin Allott scored twice for Shaw Lane
Striker Adam Priestley breaks forward for Shaw Lane
Eventually out of nothing, Lee Bennett’s low long range drive found the bottom corner and that effectively killed the visitors off there and then.
A handball from John Pritchard early in the second half enabled Gavin Allott to double the lead from the penalty spot.
Allott then wrapped the win up on the hour after being played onside by New Mills’ flagging defence. The former Frickley striker coolly slotted the ball past helpless goalkeeper Oliver Martin.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager Craig Elliott: “It was a potential banana-skin again so I’m just happy to win.
“We were in a big cup upset at Alsager so the message today was ‘let’s not have that feeling again’.
“I believe they have a new manager and they did have some threat and organisation to them, but with the players we had I was confident that we would win the game and we did.”
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Deakin, Wafula, O’Brien, Istead, Meynell (captain), Sabo, Bennett, Davidson ((Holt 65), Morris (Thornton HT), Allott (Radford 72), Priestley. Sub unused: Thornhill.
New Mills: Martin, Whiteoak, John Pritchard, Jack Pritchard, Dickinson (captain), Youille (Constantine 67), Williams (Flint 86), Halley, Needham, McGregor (Arnold 76), Riley. Subs unused: Misambu, Windsor.
Referee: Edward Pidduck
Ref Rating: 10/10 (excellent throughout)
Attendance: 165
Man of the match: Alex Davidson (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)
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