by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)
TWO blistering second half free kicks from Cieron Keane made sure that its Mickleover in the hat for the next round of the FA Cup, after a 2-1 win at Barwell.
Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell; 2-George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson; 5-Josh Ashman; 6-Dwayne Wiley; 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Cieron Keane; 9-Manni Norkett; 10-Jude Taylor; 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Kane Richards; Stuart Beavon; Terry Hawkridge; Darryl Powell; Josh Carter; Luca Alonzi.
After a fairly stop start opening few minutes, Keane sent in a telling cross to find Sanders in the middle, but his 10th minute header was just wide of the post.
Sports continued to defend well with Wilkinson, Ashman, Wiley and Sanders looking solid, as Atkinson and Keane led by example to keep midfield advancing.
It was Keane that made a 20th minute interception and fired a shot goalwards from distance, but just over the bar.
Mickleover kept trying to push forwards and when Dales cut back after 28 minutes, he set up Rowe with a sight of goal, but keeper Brown saved the initial effort and collected it at his second attempt.
Shaquile Master had a shot wide for Barwell 32 minutes in and 10 minutes later Deen Master started a move which gave Dowd a chance, but his shot was high and wide.
Powell replaced Wiley just before half time and slotted into the back four, but just as it had been in Tuesday’s league game, it remained 0-0 as the half time whistle blew.
It was a lively start from Sports in the second half, with Norkett laying the ball off to Dales two minutes into the restart, but his curling shot was just wide of the far post.
But a minute later McDowell pulled off a fine save to deny Barwell the opening goal, from another Deen Master strike.
Barwell skipper Hickey had the ball in the net after 51 minutes, but was given offside, just before Mickleover made their second change, with Richards on for Norkett.
65 minutes gone and Turner committed a foul, Keane stepped up for the free kick and his shot went over the wall and wide of keeper Brown to make it 1-0.
Further substitutions saw Beavon and Carter on for Dales and Taylor, but with 81 minutes gone, Hickey latched onto a Deen Master strike to make it 1-1.
Time was running out and a possible replay beckoned, when Barwell gave away another free kick close in and almost on full time. Keane stepped up again to blast it into the back of the net, as the final whistle soon followed, with Sports the victors 2-1.
