REPORT / Abbey Hey 1-2 West Didsbury and Chorlton

Two second half goals from Oli Ford secured West Didsbury and Chorlton’s place in the Quarter Final of the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup.

Abbey led at the break through Rhys Webb’s second goal of the season, but two goals in the second half from the visitors ended Abbey’s hopes of progressing in the competition.

Terry Hincks made several changes to the starting eleven from Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win away at Eccleshall, with the likes of Dane Smith, Josh Dickin and Tom Murray all returning to the side. ­

In what was a very tight first half, the home side enjoyed the better of the possession. Dylan Fitzgerald came close to breaking the deadlock after the half-hour mark, but he fired straight at the WDAC goalkeeper from a tight angle on the right.

The home side did break the deadlock though on the stroke of half-time, courtesy of Webb. He reacted quickly from close-range to poke the ball home after Fitzgerald had a shot parried away by the keeper.

The visitors responded ten minutes into the second half, as Ford drove the ball low across the face of goal and into the bottom corner beyond Smith in the Abbey net.

The away side looked a different side in the second half, playing with an explosive intensity on the attack. After struggling to take a control of the game in the first half, the goal lifted their spirits as they went in search of a win.

And that winner came fifteen minutes later, once again through Ford. In controversial style, he tapped home from what looked to be in an offside position after the home side failed to clear the ball away from safety.

The defeat is only Abbey’s second in their last twelve games, but they bow out of the competition at the first hurdle as West Didsbury and Chorlton advance to the Quarter final stages.

Abbey Hey will be back in action this coming Saturday when they welcome fellow playoff contenders New Mills to the Abbey Stadium (3pm kick off)