[themaclad]

The Macron Cup semi final between AFC Blackpool and Stafford Town at a wet, windy and cold Jepson Way ground didn't produce a classic. Add into the heady mix and bone hard pitch which didn't make for great football. A game which AFC missed some great chances and were beaten by two dead ball kicks.

Early chances for AFC came through Gregory on the right wing one mazy run led to a chance at the back post, might have scored but the pass was behind the incoming forward. A shot from a free kick was well saved by the rather large Stafford keeper Adam Jenkins wh despite his training regeme of pies and pints looked a decent keeper.
The visitors second in the Southern Section of the league played out from the back, but looked a little light weight unlike their physically stronger host.

Stafford took the lead from a free kick just before half time, free kick about 25 yards out whipped over the wall and into the net by Hearsey, the aftermath led to an argument between the keeper ane his defenders, lots of finger pointing,unhappiness reigned.
The second period didn't amount to much, the wind got stronger and the rain got heavier, the home side by now were getting a tad frustrated with the official who had sin binned a player for telling the liner to go forth and multiply, they were even less impressed when he gave a penalty against them, Hunter sent the keeper the wrong way and the noisy support from Stafford with drum(yawn) horn and wigs celebrated en masse with their team.

The Keepers

HOME


AWAY




As with the first half the home side twice failed to take chances and fell at the semi final hurdle