Delamere Rangers 4, Inter Cheadle 2

Sunday, March 9th 2008 Stockport Metro League Division One

Cheadle let a two goal lead slip in a thriller at Delamere. The home side domeinated the first ten minutes and could have been three goals up but for the width of the post and some last ditch defending and goalkeeping.

But it was Inter that opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a breakaway attack. John S crossed from the right and Liam was on the line to tap his side into the lead.

Back came Delamere and it was resolute defending and safe hands from Dane once again that kept the score at 1-0. As the halfway point in the first half passed, Cheadle started to grow in confidence and carved out some more chances with some brilliant interplay between Kay and Liam on the left.

Cheadle's pressure finally paid off in the 25th minute when Tom P slotted home from just inside the area.

Delamere showed in the cup clash between these two sides two weeks ago that they never give up and they immediately pulled a goal back when some good play down the left hand side led to a dangerous cross to the far side of the Cheadle six yard box where the Rangers number seven was waiting to head home.

Right on the stroke of half time it was down the left hand side again that the damage was done as Delamere slotted home the equaliser.

With their tails up, Delamere began the second half as they had left off in the first and within a minute had taken the lead. This time bursting down the right hand side and shooting home from just inside the area.

Cheadle tried in vain to get back into the game on an increasingly heavy pitch and tested the home 'keeper on several occasions but with ten minutes left Inter were caught on the break down the right hand side again and the home side made the points safe with their fourth.

In the end, Cheadle simply ran out of steam after a busy opening 30 minutes where they weathered the Delamere pressure and worked their way into a strong position. The crucial factor was not having enough left in the tank to at least get to half time with their two goal advantage intact.

The fact that the lads were disappointed to be beaten by what is one of the top four sides in the league says a lot for how they have developed in this, their first season of First Division football and they now need to lift their heads up for a big semin final against Poynton next week.

Three games against Delamere have produced 17 goals and a thrilling penalty shoot out with top quality football in every game.

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