Yates 3, Huntsman 2 (after extra-time)
The Huntsman were dumped out of the League Cup by Darlington side Yates in a quarter-final defeat on Sunday.
Having beaten Yates twice already this season Huntsman were favourites for the clash but this game was to be whole lot different from previous encounters due to a completely different team turning up!
The manager made one change from the 4-0 victory over Three Crowns with Michael Sproates replacing Callum Musgrave who’s season is over after a shoulder operation.
The game started brightly for the Huntsman and they started on the front foot causing mistakes in the Yates defence, Bates and Sproates both had chances before the deadlock was broken through a trademark Neale strike from the edge of the area which he simply passed into the corner of the net.
Huntsman fans thought the floodgates would soon open but they were to be mistaken as Yates began to grow into the game with some good football.
The equalising goal came in the 35th minute when a long throw in wasn’t dealt with leaving the Yates centre forward with a simple header from 2 yards out.
Things got worse for the Huntsman when Yates took the lead just before half-time from a Huntsman free-kick.
Bryan Durr curled an effort off the bar but the referee for some reason blew for offside despite there not being a Huntsman player anywhere near the ball.
Yates reacted quickly taking a quick free kick pumping it long which wasn’t dealt with and the winger advanced one on one with the Huntsman keeper and slotted down the side of him to make it 2-1 at half time.
The Huntsman manager gave his team some strong words and they reacted in a positive manner and again started the half on top.
They got a deserved equaliser on in the 55th minute when Jamie Herd raced clear before slotting home in off the post.
Huntsman were now favourites for the game but they shot themselves in the foot when they conceded a penalty a minute later which was slotted home despite Dodds getting a hand to it.
Yates began taking a physical approach to the game with some tasty tackles flying in and the referee not stamping it out.
They continued to push for an equaliser though and they were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute which Jamie Herd finished with aplomb after last week’s penalty miss.
The game went end-to-end from there on but neither side created any clear cut chances.
The game went into extra-time with a few bodies tiring and a few injuries beginning to show.
Yates came out the traps quickly and got the all-important goal from a long throw in which was poked home at the back post.
The Huntsman threw everything at the Yates defence just couldn’t get the goal they deserved.
The Yates keeper made fine save from an Anth Cox effort, before Lee Redpath fired over from close range.
The ref blew for full-time bringing an end to the Huntsman’s League Cup dream but the season is still far from over with another three trophies up for grabs.
Next up for the Huntsman they return to Simpasture park for the first time since December to take on local rivals and title challengers Aycliffe Sports Club, with the winner taking a massive step towards the title.
With injuries and work commitments biting the Huntsman will be looking for resolute performance to get themselves back on track in the league.
