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Late scare in thriller

21/10/2004

MANCHESTER YFC survived a late scare to make progress in the Manchester County Cup.

They were involved in an almighty scrap with Reddish Boys at Broadhurst Fields.

Reddish took the lead against the run of play with a rocket shot from 18-yard out after Manchester skipper Justin Hayden had only managed to clear to the edge of the box.

Manchester had chances to level, the best falling to O'Connor who fired over the bar from close range.

An equaliser had to come and it came from Osawe following a move which involved Saxon, Freakes and Foster.

Manchester went all out for the lead. Freakes blazed over from 15-yard and Foster pulled a shot wide before Osawe beat the keeper to poke the ball into the net.

Foster made it 3-1 and it looked all over bar the shouting, but Reddish piled forward in a salvage bid.

A rash tackle by Justin Hayden gave Reddish a penalty and Smith scored to set up a tense finish.

Manchester nervously held onto their lead.