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Success storm into County KO final

8/ 3/2008

SUCCESS to the Plough are through to the final of the Interserve Lancashire Sunday Trophy.

They beat Woodhouse Athletic 4-1 at a cold and rutted Atherton Collieries’ ground on Tuesday night

Success lost the toss and kicked off down a slope. They were awarded a free kick just inside the Woodhouse half. Mason took it, and a flick on by Milne was slammed home at the far post by Matt Jackson with only 90 seconds gone.

This should have set Success up for the rest of the half, but this was not the case.

It became a game of missed chances and poor finishing, but Success were still in total command as they were camped in their opponents’ half for most of the time.

Chances came at the rate of one every five minutes, and if it had been a boxing match the referee would have called a halt with Woodhouse on the ropes. But there was a shock to come before the break.

Success lost the ball on the edge of their opponents’ box. There was a punt upfield, and a Woodhouse shot was blocked, but the ball looped into the net.

After some calming words from the management team Success went out for the second half looking to put the game out of Woodhouse’s reach.

Astley was pushed into midfield and Success looked more balanced to attack from the flanks, with Hayes on the right and Astley on the left.

Woodhouse were again on the back foot from the start.

It looked only a matter of time before Success took the lead again, and the provider was no surprise.

Astley picked up the ball just inside his own half, beat three players, and delivered an inch-perfect pass to Richard Helm who beat the oncoming keeper and walked the ball into the net.

It was now a case of how many, and Success poured forward looking to seal the game, with Astley again at the centre of things. He was on the end of a great cross from Todd Hayes and beat the keeper at his near post.

Success ripped Woodhouse apart although, to their credit, Woodhouse didn’t give up and still battled to stay in the game.

Success were in full flow, with Matt Jackson and Simon Riley running the show, supported by Todd Hayes and Tim Astley.

A fourth goal came for Success in the last minute when a shot from Baz Milne found the back of the net off a defender.

Success must now wait untill next week to find out who they will meet in the final at the County Ground, Leyland, on Monday 7 April, kick-off 7pm.