Vale leave it late

Crown Rovers 1 Elton Vale 2

ELTON left it late as they finally negotiated a potential banana skin, and progressed to the second round of the County Shield with a victory against the unbeaten leaders of the Accrington League.

With extra time beckoning, skipper Anthony Doran moved up-field from his defensive birth to meet a corner kick, and slammed the ball home from five yards, after Dave Malius had peeled away from his marker and diverted a header across the six-yard box.

A small, narrow pitch and a howling wind meant that anything resembling flowing football was going to be minimal. Elton had the elements in their favour in the first half and provided the early pressure with a sustained onslaught on the home goal. But they had to wait until the 19th minute before they got the breakthrough as Dave Wilkes floated over a free kick from his own half and it eluded all the Crown defence, leaving the unmarked Paul Owen with the simple task of heading it in at the back post.

Towards the end of the first half, Rovers began to exert some pressure which Vale comfortably soaked up. The visitors should then have gone on to have the game sewn up by half time as Malius and Derek Watson were both foiled in one-on-one situations with the 'keeper.

In the second half, attacking roles reversed as Crown began a wind-assisted bombardment of the Elton goal, but Vale's defence was in top form and restricted their opponents to very few scoring chances. The introduction of two substitutes helped to stem the flow, and Vale began to look more promising, especially on the break, and always looked likely to increase their lead. With 15 minutes remaining, more pressure from Rovers let them grab the equaliser, when Elton's defence couldn't deal with a pin-point cross which was knocked back in for the Crown centre-forward to pick his spot from close range, not giving 'keeper, Chris Grady, any chance.

This was a blow to the Vale side who had defended resolutely, with Doran and Wilkes particularly outstanding. But to the team's credit, they picked themselves up and started to play some neat passing football which the home side couldn't cope with. One such move earned the corner kick which led to Doran's late winner and a subsequent place in the next round.

Elton Vale: Grady, Slater, A. Doran, Shaw, Wilkes, Hopkins, Owen, Price, Margetts, Watson, Malius. Subs: Keegan, S. Doran, McSherry.

The Reserves slumped to a 4-1 home defeat against Springhead Reserves with Keith Ingham scoring Elton's goal.

Back to league action tomorrow when Vale travel to Derbyshire to face New Mills, kick-off 2-30. Any supporters wishing to make the journey, meet at Elton Fold WMC, 12.15pm, where transport will be provided. The Reserves are without a fixture.