Ollerton Make Quarter Finals To Keep Season Going

Ollerton Town progressed to the quarter finals of the NCEL League Cup last night after coming back from 2-0 down to defeat a strong Grimsby Borough side 4-2 after extra time.
Ollerton's league campaign ended on Saturday so they went into the game knowing a win would keep their season alive for at least one more game. Grimsby are in the midst of a crucial run-in as they aim for promotion out of the NCEL Division One and as a result they rested several first team players but still fielded a strong side that stormed into a two goal lead.
The visitors started the tie at a high tempo and called Ollerton 'keeper Joey McCormack into action on many occasions. Burke saw his free kick parried out towards Moody but McCormack was equal to the opportunity. Burke again threatened only a few minutes later but McCormack pulled out an exceptional double save to deny him from close range on both occasions.
Ollerton began to work their way back into the game but only one team looked likely to score as Will Peers gave Grimsby a first half lead in the 19th minute. Grimsby player-manager Daniel Barrett crossed the ball from the left byline towards Peers and he sent a looping header into the back of the net, over Ollerton 'keeper Joey McCormack.
The visitors had continued to apply pressure and finally got their reward late in the half after a contentious penalty was awarded. Ben Bowring was adjudged to have fouled a Grimsby player inside the area and after referee Samuel Wright pointed to the spot, Will Peers stepped up and found the back of the net.
Ollerton had been enjoying some decent pressure before that goal and thankfully they got a goal back almost instantly. The next attack of the game led to an Ollerton corner and Lewis Bingham's in-swinging set piece found Ben Bowring from close range and he bundled the ball over the line.
Ollerton had arguably only remained in the game due to the heroics of McCormack but they started the second half in a far more positive manner. Sean Dickinson slipped through Gav King but the normally prolific striker fluffed his lines on this occasion as his left footed effort was straight at Denson in the Grimsby goal.
Bingham’s set piece delivery once again caused trouble for the Grimsby defence as his in-swinging corner found the aerially dominant Kyle Ludlow but Barrett miraculously cleared his effort off the line to preserve Grimsby’s fragile lead.
Ollerton continued to threaten the Grimsby goal with Ludlow rounding Denson and cutting the ball back to the edge of the six yard box where King had the chance to level the game but he saw his effort blocked from close range.
The home side had dominated the second half but were yet to score a leveller with Ollerton’s season looking set to end here. Grimsby looked to have taken the sting out of the game late on but the Ollerton pressure was finally rewarded in the last minute of normal time. Ben Bowring had been heavily involved in both boxes and after giving a way a penalty earlier in the game, he was shoved over in the Grimsby area to give Ollerton a 90th minute spot kick. Top goalscorer Gav King stepped up and calmly scored under pressure.
With the game now going to extra time, there only looked like one winner and Ollerton made their fitness count as they scored twice to seal their place in the next round. In the 102nd minute, Kyle Ludlow was played through on goal from a give-and-go with King and then proceeded to delicately finish past the ‘keeper and two defenders in his way.
Momentum was well and truly with Ollerton and they almost scored a fourth. Liam Cooper’s low, drilled cross from the left perfectly found Ludlow at the far post but he was unable to add to his tally from close range.
Thankfully, Ollerton did secure their progression in the 118th minute. Gav King did brilliantly to beat the offside trap and he ran into the area before finishing into the corner for his 28th of the season.
Ollerton will now try and plan how to upset the odds when they travel to Premier Division side Handsworth Parramore in the quarter finals.