EAST ARDSLEY WANDERERS 1 BOROUGHBRIDGE 4
This fixture was more reminiscent of their early County Cup days as Bridge knew little about their Challenge Cup opponents and arrived at their destination to find a small bobbly pitch with a pronounced slope. Playing with the slope in their favour Ardsley exerted some early pressure and Hogg was forced into action pushing away a Warren Fox effort.  After this Bridge gradually began to take control and apart from a Johnny Downey free kick Hogg was rarely troubled. At the other end Chris Sparrow was forced to make a double save from Ollie Uffindall and Paul Eagling, Uffindall then headed against the bar before opening the scoring on 34 minutes after good work from Paul Vincent and Danny Webster. Vincent then blazed high and wide following a swift Bridge counter attack prior to bringing out another fine save from Sparrow just before the break. Three minutes into the second half Sparrow again denied Uffindall and Eagling in quick succession but on the second occasion the ball ran loose to Uffindall who was brought down with Vincent converting the resultant penalty. Ardsley were thrown a lifeline on 57 minutes when a Matt Bestington shot was deflected off Dan Thirkell but Bridge quickly regained the initiative and had ample opportunities to increase their lead before Uffindall converted Ben Mudd's through ball on 68 minutes. Ben Darville, who replaced the injured Paul Eagling, nearly found the next village with one effort but regained his composure to add his side's fourth on 74 minutes. Paul Howley did rattle the Bridge crossbar in the last few minutes but even taking into account some excellent saves from Sparrow, Bridge should have won more convincingly.
MOM Dan Thirkell