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Success hopes put on hold

12/ 4/2008

SUCCESS to the Plough’s hopes of silverware were put on hold after losing 4-3 to AFC Lockstock Hall in a dramatic Lancashire Sunday Trophy Final at Leyland on Monday.

Success were dominant in the first half, cantering into a three goal lead. But the turning point in the game came just before the interval when the Rochdale outfit were awarded a penalty and had the chance to end the game as a contest. However, Matthew Jackson’s miss gave Lockstock hope.

The second half saw a remarkable comeback from Lockstock, ending in a stoppage time winner from John Sanderson.

A long ball into the Success area was not dealt with and Sanderson was on hand to snatch victory.

Success will see this as the one that got away, but they can have no regrets about their first half performance. They were simply better than their opponents in every department on the pitch.

Todd Hayes opened the scoring for Plough, volleying home from the edge of the penalty area. Hayes was very composed and finished superbly.

Ten minutes later Plough doubled their lead when Bryan Milne headed home Randall’s cross.

Lockstock were now on the ropes and the apparent body blow came with a third five minutes before the interval. Tim Astley neatly flicked over the out rushing Ross Melling in the Lockstock goal.

Whatever was said in the Lockstock dressing room at half time seemed to do the trick. Two minutes into the second half they grabbed what looked to be a consolation goal at the time. Will Yates’ shot was well saved by Plough keeper Gary Watson, but the ball was still dangerously floating around the penalty area and Simon Riley was the unfortunate Plough player to get the last touch into his own goal.

Despite the goal Plough didn’t panic, and they had chances to win the game, but Lockstock grabbed their second 15 minutes from time with a Stead penalty.

Unfortunately for Plough they couldn’t hold on to their slim lead in the closing stages. The equaliser was a stunner as Randall, the man-of–the-match, finished off a superb Lockstock patient move.

Extra time looked to be on the cards, but Sanderson made the journey home for Plough a very painful one.

Despite the result, Success to the Plough secretary Phil Crowther still feels there is plenty to play for this season.

"We are still in two semi-finals so we still have everything to play for," he said. "We are obviously very distraught but we cannot overshadow what has been a great achievement.

"We win as a team and lose as a team so nobody can be blamed for the defeat. With a couple of new additions next season maybe we can go one better."