Pristine pitch pays dividends

IN what was the only game to take place in the entire league programme and one of only a handful that got underway at any level throughout the north west, Elton bounced back from the disappointment of the previous week's Lancashire Shield exit and clinched a semi-final berth in the Gilgryst Cup for the first time.

But it was touch and go right up to the final whistle as Vale missed a string of chances in the second half and it wasn't until eight minutes from time that midfielder John Price struck for the all important goal.

The Elton pitch was in such pristine condition that it didn't even require an inspection and although firm underfoot it was never dangerous and both sets of players can be congratulated for adapting to the conditions extremely well, thus providing yet another three figure crowd with their Saturday afternoon entertainment.

But there was a scare for the home side before the game had even kicked off when 'keeper Steve Crossley was injured in the pre-match warm up and defender Dave Wilkes had to take over between the posts.

However, such was the effectiveness of colleagues in front of him that the stand-in custodian only had two realistic saves to make in the entire game.

Having started somewhat slowly in recent games the Fold players were under strict instructions to get quickly into their stride and they did just that, testing the Dukinfield defence with some smart build ups.

But they were sometimes let down by a poor quality final ball into the danger area and it wasn't until the 25th minute that Town 'keeper Alistair Fisher had a serious save to make when he clumsily mis-punched the ball under an aerial challenge from Elton centre forward Derek Watson, but a covering defender quickly cleared the loose ball for a corner.

Before that though, the visitors striker Ryan Howe had tested Wilkes with a well struck drive from twenty two yards that was comfortably held by the 'keeper. But as the home side grew in confidence, experienced centre

backs Anthony Doran and Steve Dearden more than competently dealt with any further threat from Howe and his strike partner Nick Clegg, with the two young forwards also regularly falling prey to Vale's offside trap.

There must have been something a bit stronger than 'rosie lee' in the half time cuppa as Elton came out for the second half a rejuvenated side in terms of creating scoring opportunities and could well have been two or three goals to the better in the first five minutes.

Damian Keegan's header went just the wrong side of the post, Paul Owen completely missed his intended glancing header from five yards out and then Steve Smith drove the ball wide of goal from close range. Elton kept up the pressure and Owen was again unlucky to see his stab at the ball in front of goal diverted for a corner and it seemed only a matter of time before the opening goal would arrive.

But it wasn't coming yet and having survived that onslaught, Town steadied themselves and looked to break on the counter attack and Vale had to be on their toes to prevent the visitors taking a shock lead.

Discipline and concentration levels were at maximum though and the Tameside players were restricted to long shots, with only one of these finding the target and that was easily dealt with by Wilkes.

Fisher was quite obviously the far busier of the two 'keepers and the pick of his saves came when he went full length to clutch a low cross from Price that prevented the lurking Watson from applying the finishing touch.

The ball was then to bounce invitingly around the Dukinfield six yard box on several occasions as Elton pumped over a series of corners and free kicks but no-one could connect for the vital finish and it was now becoming increasingly evident that one goal was going to settle the tie and thankfully for Vale, it was they who scored it.

Another neat and patient build up saw the ball worked across the eighteen yard line until it reached Price and he promptly let fly with a fierce shot that took a slight deflection as it cleared Fisher and found the net.

This was no more than Elton deserved and it was now just a matter of holding out until the final whistle and despite a late skirmish involving a dozen or so players, there was little for the home team to worry about as they progressed to join Atherton Town, Prestwich Heys and Springhead in the semis that will be played sometime in April.

ELTON VALE: Wilkes 7, McCool 7, Doran 8, Dearden 8, Keegan 7, Price 7, Shaw 7, Owen 7, Armstrong 7, Watson 8, Smith 7 Subs: Slater, Hopkins, Malius (none used)

It's hopefully back to league action tomorrow as Elton are away to Salford side Willows who now play on their new ground at Agecroft. Vale's reserves have a home fixture against Breightmet United reserves. Both kick-offs are 2pm.