Huntsman FC travelled to Tommy Crooks Park to take on Tompkins in the League Cup. Manager Neil Dodds was forced into making three changes with Shaun Mackintosh, Anthony Brockley and Mark Percival all unavailable from the side which narrowly beat Tompkins in the league game two weeks ago. Ryan Durr, Steven Williams and David Neale all returned while Anth Cox was back in the squad after a two week layoff and there was a long awaited return to the squad for Lee Gray.
Huntsman knew what to expect against a tough Tompkins side but started slowly and were second best all over the park for the first twenty minutes. They were punished for the sloppy start when they fell behind, the Tompkins centre forward turned and slipped in the winger who closed in on Dodds in the goal before firing in the top corner.
Huntsman rallied and began to keep hold of the ball better with Shaun Sproates impressing holding the ball up well. On 35 minutes Huntsman were level, Dave Neale arrowed a free kick goalwards which the goalkeeper could only parry out to the oncoming Callum Musgrave who bundled the ball over the line. They remained on top for the remainder of the half without testing the Tompkins keeper. The second half saw the introduction of Anth Cox in place of injured Mike Sproates who added some much needed pace to the side.
The second half was a dull affair with very little goalmouth action although Huntsman were pushing – a slight tweak in formation saw them gain more momentum and both Ryan Durr and Jamie Herd missed good chances but extra time was required to separate the sides.
Huntsman started slowly and goalkeeper Dodds was required to make three good saves in the first 5 minutes but they weathered the storm and hit Tompkins in the 7th minutes of extra time when Jamie Herd turned on the edge of the 18 yard box to smash home his 12th of the season.
It remained this way until half time before Shaun Sproates put the game to bed when he used his blistering pace to race clear and slot the ball home. The best was yet to come substitute Keith Dodds on the pitch a matter of minutes picked up the ball deep in his own half, played 2 lovely one twos before beating three men to go one on one with the keeper giving the keeper the eye before placing  the ball in the bottom corner.
The win sets up a derby fixture in the next round against Aycliffe Sports Club on October 20th. Neil Dodds was awarded man of the match by the opposition while Lee Redpath picked up the Referee’s award.Huntsman entertain Haughton Grey Horse in a difficult Heart Foundation Cup on October 6th at Simpasture Park. It will be a difficult game against possibly the best side in the Darlington League so come down and show your support for the lads!