Ye Olde Grown deliver on the cup stage to progress in TB Williamson encounter

YE Olde Crown were made to work hard for their victory over a spirited AFC Stoke side in what turned into a thrilling encounter in the first round of the TB Williamson Cup.

- Chris Travers

GOAL: Jordan Flatley, right, was among the scorers for Greenhoffs at the weekend.

Crown started brightly, racing into a 2-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes.

Stoke, however, pulled one back when Oscar Ramsden struck a superb volley from outside the area that left the goalkeeper with no chance.

Crown responded quickly to restore their two-goal cushion, Leo Emery tapping home after good work down the right. But another defensive lapse allowed Sam Bradley to slot home and make it 3-2 before the break.

Early in the second half, Crown extended their lead again when Emery turned provider, delivering a fine cross for Callum Collis to head in.

Along ball over the top then caused chaos in the Crown defence, resulting in a mishit clearance looping over the keeper and into his own net to hand Stoke a lifeline.

With ten minutes remaining, a strong Crown move down the left ended with a Stoke defender mistiming his tackle in the box - penalty to Crown. Josh Wright kept his cool from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 5-3.

There was late drama still to come, as Nwaobilor Ananaba was brought down in injury time and converted the resulting penalty for Stoke, but Crown held firm to see out the game and progress to round two.

The upset of the round came as FC Newcastle II knocked out inform Division Three side Mave on penalties.