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Search forFootball: Cheadle United stay on course for Premier Cup prize
Friday, November 14, 2008, 09:00
United have failed to progress beyond the Sunday Premier semi-final stage in the club's 40-year history.
And after Hanley outplayed and outfought Cheadle in last month's PDSL Premier Cup, an early exit looked on the cards.
But despite the absence of Mark Hodson, Dave Brown, Tony Hodkinson and skipper Damian Smith, Booth's men were deserved 2-1 victors.
"It's a brilliant result," said the Cheadle manager. "They gave us a right dusting last time. Hanley Town are the current holders – but we deserved the win."
Booth altered his formation to a 3-5-2 in a bid to combat Hanley's midfield strength and also as a result of United's injury woes.
And the tactic paid dividends thanks to second-half strikes from Lee Wheawall and Adam Cartlidge, which cancelled out Tom Winkle's opener for Hanley.
Booth added: "We had to juggle things around. They bossed us completely in midfield last time out. We weren't sharp enough either. But the extra man in the centre of the park certainly helped us."
Cheadle created two good chances to take the lead in the opening 12 minutes.
A far post cross found Dominic Corkery, who lashed a decent effort across goal which drifted narrowly wide.
Minutes later Lee Plant, from a similar situation, unleashed a stinging volley into the side netting.
Hanley also created an opening, but Leon Sturridge's shot from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Cheadle keeper Paul Milward.
On 20 minutes, Hanley's Jimmy Dunn showed his pace and tricky footwork to weave past Jordan Wheawall.
But a vital last-ditch tackle from Corkery put the striker off sufficiently and his effort flew over the bar.
Dunn was then dismissed for stamping on Corkery and Hanley were down to 10 men.
With a man to the good, Cheadle continued to dictate play and Cartlidge was next to try his luck. But from a corner kick, the Cheadle player was unable direct his header on target.
In the dying minutes of the opening half, Hanley grabbed a shock lead.
A free-kick was awarded for a foul on Sturridge just inside United's half.
The ball was fired towards the danger area, and with keeper Milward off his line, the ball fell favourably into the path of Winkle.
And the Hanley striker gratefully lobbed the ball into the empty net for 1-0.
Cheadle maintained their work ethic in the second half and grabbed a deserved equaliser on 65 minutes.
A slick ball across the box presented Wheawall with the opportunity to clip the ball past keeper Dan Roberts and into the net.
Even better was to come and United snatched the lead two minutes later. Cartlidge was sent clear of the Hanley back-line and the striker produced a cool finish to make it 2-1.
The strike was enough to send United through to the last eight, although Cheadle could have extended their lead further following late efforts from Dan Hill and Corkery.
On Sunday, Cheadle United remain in cup action when they take on Kidsgrove CRFC in round two of the Congleton and District Cup.
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