Cheshire Amateur Cup

Round Two

Heswall 2

Malpas 0

Malpas’ adventure in the Cheshire Amateur Cup came to an end in the second round after they were edged out of the competition by Wirral-based West Cheshire Division Two side Heswall on Saturday.

However, the Oxhays men can be proud of their efforts in the cup after they knocked out Cheshire Football League Premier Division side Poynton in round one and were still in the tie after 45 minutes on Saturday.

But any half-time team talk was undone by a piece of fine play from the hosts when the ball was won in midfield and spread out to the right three minutes into the second half.

The deadlock was broken from the resultant pull-back when Heswall’s number nine Joe Ford picked out the bottom left corner from around 16 yards out.

However, Malpas nearly drew level almost immediately when Thomas Milburn rose highest but his header on the hour hit the bar and was cleared to safety, much to Heswall’s relief.

The Red and Blacks were relying on Lloyd Jones as the Malpas stopper pulled off a string of fine saves but eventually, Ford was on hand again to double Heswall’s lead when he won the ball on the edge of the visiting box and sent Lloyd Jones the wrong way.

Lloyd Jones then kept Malpas in the tie with a fine save moments later as they looked for a foothold back in the game.

However, they were reduced to 10 men for much of the remaining minutes when midfielder Danny Jones was sent off by a referee short of control.

The Malpas man’s ‘sin’ was to strongly contest the referee’s decision to not award what looked a solid claim for a penalty at the back post when he was pinned from jumping.

However, Malpas were unable to find a goal to make the home side nervous.

The Red and Blacks will be back in cup action this coming weekend when they host Chester Nomads Reserves at Oxhays in the first round of the Chester DFA Cup (2pm).

Then the following week, league leaders Winstanley Warriors make the trip to south Cheshire as Malpas aim to kickstart their League One campaign towards a promotion push following relegation last year.

They remain 10th after the weekend’s fixtures.