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Finalists on road again

4/10/2008

TROPHY finalists last season, Midland Phoenix started a new knockout campaign with a match against top Burnley side Real Queens.

The game started slowly, the teams testing each other out.

Queens would have scored on 14 minutes but for some great defending and a good save by Horrocks, then on 17 minutes Midland were awarded a penalty.

Fletcher took the kick which was saved.

Midland took control, with Jackson and Ratcliffe both going close.

Hayes, pulling all the strings, hit a freekick over the bar, then Highton had a good effort saved by the keeper and Riley hit the bar.

On 35 minutes the deadlock was finally broken. A corner cross from Hayes was met by Matt Jackson who headed home.

Another corner was met by Jackson whose header this time hit the bar.

It was all one way as half time approached, and Highton cooly finished to make it 2-0.

The second half started with Queens looking to get back into the game.

They switched formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and started to get a foothold, but Midland still looked dangerous on the break, with Riley and Highton proving a real threat up front.

On 53 minutes the game was well and truly on. Midland were caught out by a long ball and it was 2-1.

Midland were under pressure for the first time in the game, but still had chances.

Play was end to end, without any real chances until the 70th minute when Jackson hit the bar again with a stinging freekick from 25 yard.

That was the closest either side got to another goal.