Mowbray Rangers knock out higher league Houghton in cup

Mowbray Rangers U12s, from left, back Simon Bailey (manager), Harry Hewson, Will Finch, Joe Barker, George Rudkin, Josh Ward, Charlie Phillips-Ames, Cat Hubbard (assistant manager); front Richard Brown, Ben Hallam, Daniel Bailey, Oliver Hubbard, Louis Woodcock. EMN-170315-090054002

Mowbray hosted Houghton Rangers from the division above in the league cup and put in the performance of the season to boo their place in the next round.

From the kick-off, the hosts attacked and kept the visitors penned in their own half. Houghton had their keeper to thank for keeping them in the tie, saving well from Woodcock, Hubbard and Hewson, while Finch also missed the target twice from close range.

At the other end, Barker, Hallam and Phillips-Ames protected Bailey’s goal with comfort.

Just when the half looked to be finishing all-square, Ward scored a spectacular goal, taking a touch on the halfway line before firing in a shot which the keeper could not hold.

The second half continued in the same vein, and two minutes in, Brown scrambled in the second after good work from Rudkin to give the hosts some breathing space.

Woodcock added a third after good link-up play with the selfless Hewson.

Ward who had not scored for two seasons added his second and Mowbray’s fourth when he headed in from a corner before Woodcock also nabbed his second to complete the scoring in to cap a great team performance.