FA Sunday Cup 2nd Round

Northallerton Police 2

Home and Bargain, Liverpool 4

NORTHALLERTON POLICE crashed out of the FA Sunday Cup last Sunday after defeat at the hands of their visitors from Merseyside.

After the Liverpool-based side had raced into a 2-0 first half lead with goals from Brodie Kearns and Carl Peers, the Police fought back with a strikes either side of the break from Sam Vernalls and Ben Darville. But the visitors would not be denied a place in round three as substitute Ryan Whitcombe hit a late brace to send the Police crashing out.

This much anticipated match, played in front of a crowd of 75 at Northallerton Town's Calvert Stadium, started at a cracking pace with both sides playing some neat, passing football.

But it was Merseysiders who took a 16th minute lead. Kearns' pace took him clear down the left and he cut inside before firing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

The Police had the chance to draw level almost immediately when Vernalls was brought down inside the penalty area, but his spot kick lacked power and direction giving visiting goalkeeper Steven Longrigg the chance to make a save.

That appeared to be a crucial miss as the visitors doubled their lead mid-way through the first half when a lovely team move was finished off in style by Peers.

But the whole complexion of the tie changed right on half time. A corner from Chris Walker was not cleared by the Liverpudlian defence and Vernalls was able to apply the finish from close range.

The Police changed to a 4-4-2 formation in the second half and it had an immediate effect with them enjoying their best spell of the match. The equaliser, however, did not arrive until the 74th minute. Jason Newall clipped a free kick over the top of the visitors defence and Darville arrived to nod over the advancing Longrigg.

With neither side relishing the prospect of extra time, both went all-out to find a winner but it was the Merseysiders who regained the lead with just six minutes remaining; a stunning 18 yard volley from substitute Whitcombe.

With their FA Cup hopes about to be extinguished, the Police threw everything forward, but in stoppage time the visitors broke out to seal their place in the third round; Whitcombe again with the finishing touch to leave the Police dreaming of what might have been.