Athletic miss out on spot in semi-finals

Ali Bowles smashes home his second goal during Wetherby Athletic's 4-2 League Cup quarter-final loss at Aberford Albion. Picture: Pete Arnett

Albion, who play their football a tier below the Tangerines in Division One, raced into a three-goal lead inside half an hour, and never looked back, despite a brace from Athletic’s Ali Bowles.

Reflecting on his side’s defeat, Wetherby boss Mark Forster said: “This is a difficult match to describe. Was it a 4-2 game? I’m not really sure.

“In the first half, they have scored with three shots from three, and in the second half they have got a very easy goal, which I am annoyed about. Ostensibly they have scored with pretty much every shot on target they have had.

“Our lads have played some great football, but our two goals have come from fast passing and releasing the ball quickly.

“If they have learnt anything, playing pretty football sometimes isn’t the answer. Sometimes you just need to get it straight to your centre-forward.

“If we do end up dropping into Division One [next season], we have to learn that we will be facing long-kick football and we need to be able to adapt to defend and counter against it.”

Albion netted three goals in the opening 26 minutes to seize control, but Bowles reduced the arrears when he got on the end of Josh Forster’s cross.

Aberford restored their three-goal cushion 20 minutes into the second period, and although Bowles notched again in the 80th minute when he raced on to Josh Wilson’s pass and outmuscled two defenders before unleashing a powerful strike, his efforts proved to be in vain.

Phil Milsom was named as Wetherby’s man of the match.