Derbyshire Senior Cup 1st Round

Whaley Bridge advanced to the second round of the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Chapel Town.

A goal in either half from Ray Dwolitka and Matt Brown ensured the home side’s safe passage in the competition and a second win in as many games.

A crowd of around 200 was in attendance for the game which saw an under-par Whaley side miss a host of chances on their way to victory.

Jon Brogden’s side took the lead after 20 minutes when Dwolitka found himself one on one with the visiting goalkeeper after a James Gemmell throw-in, and finished calmly.

Robust challenges were a feature of the first half as was the waving of the linesman’s flag as Whaley were caught offside with frustrating regularity.

Whaley were left feeling aggrieved as captain Rob Newton appeared to be tripped in the box but frantic calls for a penalty were waved away by the referee to the disbelief of those in blue.

Dwolitka had the chance to double his tally for the afternoon when he was gifted with an opening but he struck his shot straight at the goalkeeper before Joe Burgess squandered the follow-up as the first half finished 1-0.

The second half did not start in ideal fashion for the home side as they lost Colin Moss with a hamstring injury and they continued to be frustrated in front of goal as Dan Whelan and Burgess both failed to find the net from Dan Christie crosses; Whelan firing wide from a corner whilst Burgess’ shot cannoned back off the post.

On a rare foray forward Chapel had their pleas for a penalty turned down when the referee judged that the ball had hit Gemmell on the chest rather than the arm.

Whaley had to wait until two minutes before time before getting their second when George Burgess out-muscled two Town defenders before squaring for substitute, Brown who tapped in from a couple of yards out.

Skipper Rob Newton was relieved to get the win in what was always likely to be a tricky fixture:

‘Derby games are never the prettiest and our performance wasn't what we wanted but we're pleased with the result’.

Whilst it was a frustrating day in front of goal Newton praised the defence for their resilience and challenged them to continue in the same vein for next weekend’s game against Pilkington:

‘As a defender a clean sheet is your aim in every match and to come away with our second in a row sets the standard for the rest of the season’.

Meanwhile the reserves continued their impressive start to the season with a 3-0 win away at Gamesley; Jason Mellor, Tom Scorer and Ben Jackson keeping Dan Turner’s men unbeaten and top of the league.

Team:

Tattersall, Gemmell, Newton, Moss (Walker), Whelan, J Burgess, Gregory, Broome, G Burgess, Christie (Brown), Dwolitka

Man of the Match: Jace Broome