Red Lion Crossgates FC 4
Middleton Park FC 1

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Middleton Park FC had Martin Evans, Aaron Firth, Syed Sheh, Nicholas Egan and Simon Mead all unavailable for selection, new signings Mathew Goldthorpe and Darren Watson were also unavailable.

Middleton Park managed to take a squad of 13 players to the game, many of which had recently signed.

Middleton Park started the game with three league debutants Ben Oates, Carl Palmer and Ben Heath (sub), the team also consisted of Wayne Dixon (sub), the teams Manager.

Middleton set of with a makeshift side and they managed to outplay the Lions for the whole of the first half, although going a goal down after 35mins. Middleton pilled the pressure throughout the first half, but they couldn't finish their chances, chance after chance was squandered.

After the break, Middleton kept on the pressure by pulling the score back to 1-1, the debutant Carl Palmer rising high to head the ball between the sticks. Middleton continued to dominate until a lapse of concentration at the back allowed the lions to score and take the lions 2-1 up.

Middleton changed Rodney Adams for substitute Ben Heath after 55mins, after an injury ended his game. Middleton continued to pile on the pressure until Right winger Simon Barraclough had a serious injury; his studs getting stuck in the ground as he turned, dislocating his ankle in the process.

After a long break waiting for the ambulance, the game resumed and manager Wayne Dixon was called into action. Despite a valiant effort from the Middleton personnel, the lions dominated the game and took the score to 3-1, then 4-1, which meant the Middleton lads were just waiting for the whistle, as concern for their team mate was taking over the passion for the game. The Final score 4-1 to Red Lion Crossgates.

The referee Robert Storey was asked for his man of match for Middleton; Mr Storey named Simon Barraclough as his man. Congratulations to him!

Squad: Steven Rose (GK), Stefan Beer (LB), Stephen Carr (RB), Carl Palmer (CB), Max Nielsen (CB), Rodney Adams (LM), Simon Barraclough (RM), Simon Bradley (CM), Jarvis Hamlet (CM), Ben Oates (CF), Gareth Robinson (CF). Subs; Ben Heath and Wayne Dixon.