Howden AFC 3 Pocklington Town 4ths 1
The MinsterMen moved a step closer to the double with a strong display over Pocklington Town.
Howden AFC dominated the contest and should’ve found the back of the net more often as chances were squandered. Gilberdyke will line up opposite Howden on May 11 at East Riding County FA where the winners will lift the Junior Country Cup. Howden took a strong 16-man squad to Holme on Spalding Moor to face the East Riding County league side off the back of lifting the league trophy and confidence was high in the camp. Adam Mitchell returned to the line up alongside Hutchinson as Milner was ruled out to injury, with Ashworth moving in to the back three. Howden’s control of the ball was impressive, but there was a lack of conviction and pace when moving the ball. Pocklington on the other hand, came flying out the traps and looked to turn the back line around at every opportunity with a long ball approach.
It took a while for the quality to shine through for Howden but it did just before the half hour mark. Charly Petch on the left hand side danced into the box to be tackled from behind. Sam Schofield placed the ball down to stroke the ball home. Howden soon doubled their lead with a well worked move that saw Bayram, Tomlinson and Eastwood all involved. Tomlinson raced onto the by line as his cut back was headed home from inside the box by a late run from Bayram. Mortimer was encouraging more from the side however. Despite controlling the game, the conviction was lacking. The second half was again in a similar fashion as Howden controlled the play. Tomlinson soon managed to grab himself a goal after Ashworth slipped a ball into the channel for the striker to chase. Cooly finishing across the goalkeeper, the striker showed why he’s registered over 50 goals this season in the Blue and Black. Howden made changes to freshen up the charge with Ash Taylor, Alex Haines, Ben Jackson, Nath Munday and Dan Coult all introduced. Both Taylor and Dan Coult appeared to be brought down inside the box, but no penalty kick was awarded. Pocklington did manage to get a goal with a top drawer strike from outside the box that went into Cal Martin’s top corner off the post.
There was nothing the shot stopper could’ve done, who had a busy afternoon with the ball at his feet retaining possession more than making saves. Howden in the final third really lacked conviction as Schofield hit the woodwork twice, Tomlinson uncharacteristically missed a few chances also, but the game was never under any threat. Howden progressed and are on course to do the double should they overcome local rivals Gilberdyke. (28-04-754 SU)
