Dobson inspires victory

By [cwigham]

PHIL Dobson produced a string of fine saves to help the Humber Premier League to a 2-1 win over their West Cheshire counterparts in the FA Carlsberg National System Cup.

The visitors started brightly and Paul Casey drilled the ball across the face of the goal but David Rudge's effort was blocked.

Then the HPL's Shaun Day broke clear down the left flank but his cross was cleared for a corner which was taken by Gareth Barstow and met by a Kirk Blake header which was cleared off the line.

West Cheshire took the lead in the 20th minute when Ged Grannon set up Danny Edwards to hit home.

But within 10 minutes the hosts equalised when Day put Blake through to lob the ball into the net.

On the stoke of half-time the HPL took the lead when Joe Addinall put defender Danny Brookes under pressure and he sliced the ball into his own goal.

The hosts were put under constant pressure in the second half only to be denied by three fantastic saves from Phil Dobson.

West Cheshire's impressive Danny Edwards was thwarted twice and then a Stuart Jones drive was turned onto the crossbar by Dobson.

In the HPL's only noteworthy attack in the second period, Blake's cross found Barstow but his shot grazed the top of the bar.

The hosts were put under more pressure before the end but resolute defending secured a hard earned victory and progression into the last 16.