Derby day at Egerton Youth Club (From Warrington Guardian)

Derby day at Egerton Youth Club

EGERTON U16 8 EGERTON TATTON U16 0

DERBY matches dominated the Premiership at the weekend and at Mereheath Lane two Egerton teams met in the second round of the District Cup.

With the kick off slightly delayed to give the expectant crowd time to take their seats, both teams were really focussed on their objectives when the whistle went to start the game.

The first five minutes saw both sides pressing forward, with Mottram for Tatton and Moore for Egerton both making incisive runs down their right flanks.

Early chances fell to both sides with Agar and Holland keeping Egerton goalkeeper Joe Smith on his toes.

It was Egerton captain Baxby who opened the scoring after seven minutes as he rose to meet a Moore corner with a thunderous header.

Three minutes later, Tom Stubbs scored the first of his four goals, a textbook header from a Jonny Scott cross from the left wing.

Stubbs then turned provider as he slotted a perfectly weighted pass through a crowded penalty area for strike partner, George Chaisty to run onto and slot home.

On 20 minutes, Stubbs then scored the goal of the game.

Jonny Scott sent over a wonderful free kick which Stubbs met at full stretch with a diving header that curled powerfully into the top corner.

Tatton goalkeeper Simon Brown could do nothing about these well-executed strikes, but made several excellent saves to keep the score unchanged for the rest of the half. Although they were four down after 20 minutes, the score did not do justice to the spirit and skill shown by the Tatton team.

Strong running from midfield saw them create chances throughout the game and had they been up against anything less than the Egerton back four of Edwards, Barrow, Blundell and Cope, they would have scored.

The second half saw Egerton substitutes, Light and Yu, join the fray and Alex Swift move up from midfield to join Stubbs up front.

With Tatton working hard to get bodies behind the ball, the defending of Agan, Painter, Ford and Beggs was determined and resolute. With Stockton, Jones and Marriott linking with their front men, Tatton continued to press forward at every opportunity only to be thwarted by the Egerton defence.

Second half goals from Stubbs (2), Blundell and Yu sealed the victory for Egerton who now reach the quarterfinals.

This was a game played in a great spirit by two teams of boys, many of whom have played together at Egerton since they were seven years old.