Walsall Phoenix 1 Stone Dominoes 5
On Saturday 5th November, Stone Dominoes produced a superb second half performance to record an emphatic victory over their Premier Division opponents to progress into the next round of the SCSL Leek Cup.
Shane Lindop’s strike had been cancelled out by Ben Harrison in the first half but a Jules Paterson hat-trick and an Ash Thompson penalty booked a place in the Last 16 against Wolstanton United.
Joint Manager Kyle Adams was full of praise for the Dominoes side.
“It’s difficult to single out anyone as all 13 players were excellent and did exactly what was asked of them,” said Adams.
Jules took his 3 goals really well but what was equally as pleasing was the front pair working tirelessly all game as much those behind them.”
Adams was under no illusions of how good of a result it was.
“It’s hard enough coming here and competing never mind scoring five and winning emphatically,” Adams explained.
This is not just a poor Premier Division side, they’re a very good side who can match most in that league.”
Ryan Parkes missed the trip along with the injured trio of Endon Adams, Ash Cooper and Ben Roberts whilst Lewis Adams was still suspended for Dominoes.
Shane Lindop almost put the visitors ahead in the first 2 minutes when he flicked a corner on at the near post but Dave Cotterill sprung to his left to make an excellent stop and tip the ball wide.
Lindop did manage to find the net 10 minutes later when he produced a moment of magic as he flicked the ball up on the edge of the Walsall box and, moving away from goal, struck a spectacular left-footed volley into the far top corner to open the scoring.
The home side came close to an equaliser on the half hour mark when Tom Wright let fly from long range but Kay Beardmore reacted well to tip the ball over his crossbar.
Walsall were back on level terms soon after when Ben Harrison ghosted in to the six yard box to head home a corner.
Cotterill and Lindop resumed their dual as half time approached as the former got down well to save a low strike across goal from the Dominoes forward.
Dominoes were denied twice in quick succession by Cotterill early in the second half as first the Walsall man somehow kept out a Marcus Thorp header before stopping Jake Hughes’ long range effort.
The away side were back in front moments later though when Paterson capitalised on a poor clearance from Cotterill to race through and slide the ball underneath the goalkeeper into the net.
Beardmore was on hand to prevent a immediate response as he pushed a long range strike over the bar.
Lindop came within inches of increasing the lead with 20 minutes remaining when his 25-yard effort crashed against the post and bounced away to safety.
Dominoes did get their third when Joss Myatt was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and Ash Thompson stepped up to slot home the penalty.
Paterson doubled his tally for the afternoon with 10 minutes remaining as he ran on to a long Beardmore kick to finish past Cotterill before completing his hat-trick immediately after when Thorp slid him in just inside the area to fire past the goalkeeper.
Walsall attempted to pile on some pressure in the final minutes but were unable to find a way through and the visitors were able to see the game out with relative ease to progress.
Dominoes continue their run of cup games on Saturday when they face another Premier Division side as they welcome Newcastle Town Reserves to Wellbeing Park in the Staffs FA Vase.
Stone Dominoes: Beardmore, Byles, Amponsah, Steele, Thorp, Myatt (Smith 84), Hughes(c), Thompson, Broadhurst, Paterson, Lindop (Nellis 79).
Goals: Harrison 38 (Walsall Phoenix); Lindop 12, Paterson 56, 80, 81, Thompson pen 71 (Stone Dominoes)
Referee: T.Derricott
