Garstang 0 Colne 3

Colne progressed to the next round of the Edward Case Cup with a convincing win at Garstang on Saturday. After an even goal-less first half, the Reds found their scoring touch and banged in three goals after the interval to run out comfortable winners.

Garstang started strongly with a series of promising attacks and had loud claims for a penalty waved aside by the referee after only three minutes. But Colne cleared the ball from their penalty area and as play switched to the other end found room to build attacking moves on the left wing with Ben Horne supplying crosses to the far post of the home goal.

After 15 minutes, Jack Banks and Luke Stowe linked well to provide a great chance for Miles Storey but his shot flew just wide of the goal with the keeper beaten. After 25 minutes, Garstang threatened and only a great last ditch tackle by Horne prevented Dan Lindsay from scoring as he burst into the Reds penalty area on a penetrating run. And minutes later Colne keeper Will Handley was well placed to save a close range shot on his goal-line as Garstang continued to press with a series of long throws and free kicks by Cobie Entwistle into the Reds area.

With half time approaching, Colne had appeals for a penalty denied when an end-to-end move saw Storey break on the left wing and his cross fall perfectly for Jamie Walker who was brought down in the Garstang area as he was about to shoot. But again the referee waved aside the Reds claims.

Three minutes after the interval, Colne had the ball in the net as Storey headed home a high cross from close range but the effort was ruled out by an offside flag. But the Reds continued to attack as they gained the upper hand in midfield and Storey's shot was deflected wide off the keeper's legs. The resulting corner was played high to the far post where Josh Talks headed home to give Colne the lead after 58 minutes.

As Colne continued to attack, Corey Stacey blasted a shot over the bar from a good chance and Stowe saw his low shot fly just wide from the edge of the penalty area. Garstang still threatened at the other end, but the Colne defence held firm with Danny Jackson, Lewis Nolan and Talks denying the home side with a series of vital clearances.

After 78 minutes, Colne doubled their lead when Storey's run from midfield sent him clear and his low shot beat the advancing keeper to give the Reds a two goal cushion.

In the closing stages, Colne looked for another goal and Banks fired a shot just over the angle of the home goal before Corey Adams saw his shot blocked in the home penalty area. But on the stroke of full time, Stacey broke clear from midfield and cutting in from the left wing beat the advancing keeper with a good finish to round off the scoring at 3-0 on a successful afternoon for the Reds.

Colne now face a trip to Merseyside where they play Woolton in the next round week commencing 5th October.