Chadderton Reserves earn Murray Trophy victory against 10-man Manchester Central

CHADDERTON Reserves took three points from 10-man Manchester Central at Ten Acres Lane in the Murray Trophy group stage on Saturday.

A tense cup group match between Manchester Central and Chadderton Reserves ended in a narrow victory for the away side on Saturday afternoon.

Central, who were unbeaten in this competition before Saturday’s fixture, took the lead through forward Cory Knight who finished with confidence from close range in the 27th minute.

Chadderton were clearly given a rallying team talk at half time as they brought the game back to level terms shortly after the restart as a wonderful cross-cum-shot from Liam Eadsworth from way out on the right flank ended up in the top corner.

Defender Elvis Amoakwa was sent off for Central shortly after the equaliser, pulling Clinton Agho down as he beared down on goal and referee Zeyad Ahmed judged Amoakwa to be the last man.

After the red and an injury for Central’s fullback Daniel Parker, who continued to hobble throughout the final 20 minutes of the game, Chadderton pilled on the pressure and took the lead with three minutes to spare through Alan Beckett.

Central could feel hard done by with a few chances going narrowly wide, a goal by Knight in the first half disallowed as Marcello Ahrin was judged to be offside, and an unfortunate mistake from goalkeeper Jordan Hadlow, who had kept Central in the match when they went to 10-men, costing them the points.

After the sending off it was all Chadderton as they piled on the pressure for the rest of the match and eventually made it pay with their fortunate goal which was arguably deserved after failing to put away previous chances.

Central manager Paul McGuire addressed the red card after the game, saying: “Well it’s a tough one, if Elvis (Amoakwa) has pulled the forward back it’s the slightest of pulls”.

Central took to Twitter after the game, claiming that the red card was ‘the turning point’, but Chadderton clearly disagreed with that claim.

the turning point… ? pic.twitter.com/pRR3qUt6L6

— Manchester Central FC (@mcrcentralfc) October 8, 2017

Turning Point? Ok ?

— Chadderton FC MFL (@chaddyfcmfl) October 8, 2017

Despite the loss, Central remain top of Murray Trophy Group C with three games played, as Chadderton Reserves are in fourth with only one game played.

Next up for Chadderton Reserves is a home game against Avro in the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy as Manchester Central face Curzon Ashton reserves at home in the same competition.