Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup Third Round

Tytherington Rocks 2 Binfield 0

TYTHERINGTON Rocks turned the tables on Premier League side Binfield to progress into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup by beating Hellenic at The Hardwicke Playing Fields on Saturday.

Rocks lost away to Binfield 3-1 in the same competition last season.

Just as the game was due to start, a horrific rain storm started and continued for well over 30 minutes, but the referee decided that the game should carry on and the surface of the pitch played well considering the amount of rain that was experienced.

With Rocks doing most of the attacking it came as no surprise when, in the 25th minute, a cross from Jack Smyth on the right found Dale Emery outside the box, and his shot was parried out by keeper Matt Watson straight to Justin Bishop, who made no mistake by scoring his 20th goal of the season to put Rocks one up.

In the 30th minute Sam Taylor made a run through the centre and was brought down by a Binfield defender, who, being the last man, was red carded by the referee.

Now playing with only ten men, Binfield found the going hard, and in the 40th minute Rocks went further in front when a cross from Stuart Nelson on the right was met by Jack Smyth, who scored from close in, giving keeper Watson no chance.

The second half started in better conditions, the storm having blown itself out, while blue skies and a strong wind helped the referee continue with the match.

As expected, the first half conditions had taken their toll on all the players.

The going was extremely heavy and players were tiring, with play mostly in the middle of the pitch.

Few chances were created and Rocks were happy to see out the game without conceding.

In the 65th minute defender Nick Peare fell heavily in the box and had to go off with an ankle injury

This was a very good cup game in the circumstances and both teams deserve credit for the effort that they put in and the sporting way it was played.

Tytherington Rocks play Lydney Town at home on Saturday, 3pm.

Rocks reserves play Little Stoke away, 2.30pm.