Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds 1 Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads 0

GREENALLS Padgate St Oswalds will host Knutsford in the semi finals of the JB Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup on Saturday, March 12, after knocking out current league title holders Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads at the weekend.

A cool finish from Gavin Horner sealed progress for Phil Harrison's side.

"The lads have shown great character to bounce back from the previous week’s defeat at Crewe," said Harrison.

"The effort levels in training were exceptional and it showed on the pitch. You only get out what you put in and everybody dug deep.

"Horner got another goal, he is developing every week and settling in nicely. However, we can’t single anyone out as this was a great team performance showing the right attitude to match their ability."

Linotype, looking to get one over the hosts as they were defeated at Long Lane 2-0 earlier in the season, got an early taste of Greenalls' resolve when three successive corners were all dealt with by man-of-the-match keeper Conor Yarwood.

Horner found the breakthrough in the 21st minute when neat play on the right saw Josh Kavanagh break free from his defender.

Kavanagh slid the ball to Lee Vaughan whose quick feet left his marker and cut the ball back to Horner who showed excellent composure to roll the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Aaron Tyrer's goal.

The goal lifted Greenalls, who pushed the visitors back and struck the woodwork twice in quick succession.

After Jack Hynes burst through, only to be met by a great save by Tyrer, Lee Vaughan danced past five players before firing against the post and then from a Gaz Johns corner a Horner shot cannoned off the top of the bar.

Linotype got back into the game for the final 10 minutes of the opening period and then dominated the second half, but Greenalls held their shape well as they sat deeper.

Yarwood kept their lead intact with an outstanding reaction save from a Leon Grandison free-kick and later was alert to pounce on a free ball to prevent the visiting striker getting a shot off.

That was as close as the champions got.

Greenalls: Yarwood, Clarke, Johns, Prescott, Dowsett, Slater (Hardman), Hughes, Hynes, Kavanagh (Houghton), Horner (Whitty), Vaughan. Sub not used: Forrest, Harrison.