Halfway House PYC (13, 22) 2-4 Heddon St Andrews (Walker 10, 35; Burnie 30; Bailey 48)
MOTM: Mark Murtagh
Assists: Ramshaw, Appleby, Hownam, Appleby
THIRD TIME LUCKY
Heddon finally achieved a cup win this season at the third time of asking, with an entertaining 4-2 victory over the Halfway House.
In freezing conditions, both sides were quickly out of the blocks and causing each other problems on the slick 4G surface. Heddon took an early lead ten minutes in, Dan Walker drilling his penalty low to the keeper’s right after Dan Ramshaw had been bundled over in the box.
Any hopes of this being yet another procession for Heddon were quickly extinguished, when moments later Halfway House equalised through a penalty of their own, after Ballaz had tripped over the tricky winger. Things got worse for Heddon when soon after, Halfway House went in front. Despite have many opportunities to clear the ball, it found its way to the right winger who cut inside and trickled a low shot at goal. Waddsy, who believing it was going wide proceeded to look on in horror (or as Dan Walker quoted “looked like someone on I’m a Celebrity who had just put their hand in a box of spiders”), as the ball rolled into the far corner.
The substitution of Appaz for the injured Ramshaw brought some much needed impetus into Heddon’s play. Gradually becoming accustomed to the speed and size of the pitch, Heddon scored a deserved equaliser, Alex Burnie rising well to head home from Appaz’s corner to score his first goal in 11 years! Two quickly became three, when Dan Walker slotted home his second after good work from Sean Hownam. Halfway House were still threatening on the counter, against an uncharacteristically shaky Heddon defence, Waddsy atoning for his earlier error by making a smart one on one save.
The second half got off to a perfect start from Heddon’s point of view. Excellent work on the wing from Jamie, Woody and Appaz, saw Ross time his run to perfection to volley home from Appaz’s cross. Chances came and went in part to some wasteful finishing, good goalkeeping and an overhit final ball. There was still a moment of controversy to come, with ten minutes left, Halfway House felt that they should’ve had a third, only to have it disallowed for offside, given by renowned linesman Joe O’Donnell.
Four-two was how it finished though, with Heddon finally breaking the hoodoo of losing to teams in higher divisions. After a tough, reflective week for the club (Scotty, get well soon!), this result was just the tonic that was needed to inject some much needed cheer. Next up is Hexham Hearts in the league. Both teams are undefeated so something has to give, but as we’ve said all season, each individual game is about making a statement.
Ratings:
Wadds (7.0 – another worldie save in the second half giving him an extra 2 marks!), Burnie (7.5), Ballaz (7.0), Scoob (7.0), Jamie (7.0), Ramshaw (5.0), Ross (7.0), Woody (8.0), Sean (7.0), Dan (7.5), Murtagh (8.0)
Subs:
Appaz (7.5), Richy (5.0)
