Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup Quarter-Final

Ardley United 1 Tytherington Rocks 0

TYTHERINGTON Rocks' hopes of clinching a league and cup double were ended on Saturday when they were narrowly beaten by Ardley United.

After clinching the Division One West title earlier in the week, Tytherington travelled to Ardley for the second meeting of the clubs and gave the Premier Division leaders a tough game before conceding the winner with ten minutes remaining.

With very few clear-cut chances being created in the opening stages, it took until the 28th minute before any side came close to scoring when Dale Emery hit the crossbar with a terrific shot from the edge of the box after good link-up play from Justin Bishop and Des Peare.

In the last 20 minutes of the first half Rocks caused Ardley problems with slick ground passing, with Bishop turning their defenders on several occasions, but they were unable to make their possession pay with the final effort.

The second half was only ten minutes old when a corner on the left by Stuart Nelson was firmly headed just over the bar by Peare.

Rocks came very close to taking the lead in the 67th minute when Bishop out-paced the defence to reach a through ball and collided with the keeper, who had raced out of goal to meet him. The ball then looked to be heading into the goal only for a last second clearance by Tommy Kinch.

Ardley got the winning goal with 10 minutes left when a cross on the left found Ryan Brooks in the centre of the box and his shot, which seemed to be going wide, took a wicked deflection and beat keeper Kevin Freeman low to his left.

This was a cruel way to lose after Rocks had more than matched their Premier Division opposition for the whole game.

Rocks have no game until Easter Monday when they play away to Lydney Town, 3pm.

Tytherington Reserves won 2-1 at home against St Aldhems in their Premier One Suburban game.