Cup Progess For Ollerton After Extra Time!

For the second time in a week, a brilliant strike by Brandon Shaw helped Ollerton to a win after they defeated Clifton All Whites 2-1 after extra time in the Notts Senior Cup First Round.
Last season these two sides were drawn together at the exact same stage of the Senior Cup and in that fixture, Ollerton progressed on penalties after the scores remained level after extra time. Thankfully this year, Ollerton managed to find a way through in the additional thirty thanks to a terrific effort by Shaw. This followed his long range curling effort in midweek as Ollerton defeated Eccleshill 2-0 to record their second league win of the season.
Ollerton started the brighter and after playing a one-two with Josh Dodd, Chris Hewitt dragged a shot just wide of the upright. Lewis Bingham is always a dangerous outlet for Ollerton and after he beat his man with ease, he pulled the ball back for Dodd who saw his shot blocked by a Clifton defender.
Ollerton kept up their early dominance and managed to make it count on fifteen minutes. After good work by Hewitt, the ball dropped for Kyle Ludlow who spun and fired a shot into the corner for his first goal of the season.
Clifton responded well and put Ollerton under some pressure but the visitors could have doubled their lead as Ludlow was played through down the right, but his shot was straight at Jake Want.
On twenty-seven minutes, the hosts did manage to draw level however. A cross in from the left was turned home at the far post by Brett Peel, with the Ollerton players claiming he had turned the ball in with the use of his hand.
Just before half time, Ollerton had a great chance to retake the lead. Greg Tobin’s ball across the box was met by Lewis Bingham and his shot seemed destined for the back of the net before Want managed to get two hands to it.
Ollerton created a good early chance in the second half as Ludlow saw his shot saved before Sam Dockwray then saw the rebound blocked by a Clifton defender.
Clifton then bounced back and will perhaps feel as if they should have taken the lead. A good run by Craig Meakin resulted in the right back playing a ball across the Ollerton goal, and after the chance was somehow missed, Meakin could only turn the rebound against the post.
Clifton kept up the pressure and Alex Haughton was given a great chance to give them the lead but after he slipped on the rain-soaked pitch, his close range effort was skewed off target.
With neither side able to take the lead in the monsoon-like weather, the game went to extra time. Five minutes in, it looked like Lewis Bingham had given Ollerton the lead, but his curling effort was clawed out of the top corner by Want who was in great form.
Thankfully, Ollerton scored what proved to be the winner in the second half of extra time. Brandon Shaw was given time on the edge of the area and he punished Clifton by rifling an effort into the corner of goal, leaving Want helpless.
It was without doubt a below par performance by Ollerton who failed to match the level of performance they produced against Eccleshill in midweek. However, they will be delighted to have gotten the win against a resolute Clifton side, which continues their recent improvement in form.