Under-18s book their place in semi-finals

ATHLETIC under-18s reached the Lancashire FA Youth Cup semi-finals courtesy of a 2-1 win over neighbours Rochdale.

A frozen playing surface at the Chapel Road training ground saw the tie switched to Hopwood Hall’s 3G surface.

Tony Philliskirk’s side found themselves 2-0 up after 20 minutes.

Matty A Carr capped a fine team move to put Athletic in front with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

The lead was doubled when an unfortunate Rochdale centre-back scored an own goal.

From that point, Athletic seemed to take their foot off the gas, much to the disappointment of the coaching staff.

Rochdale pulled a goal back a minute after the interval to give themselves hope.

And the visitors were first to most 50-50 balls for the rest of the contest as they pressed for an equaliser.

Athletic held on and will travel to Burnley, Accrington Stanley or Tranmere in the semi-final.


FORMER Athletic trainee Scott Spencer has joined npower League Two outfit Lincoln City on loan.
The 22-year-old striker has found his chances limited at parent club Southend United, who signed him at the start of last year following a short spell with Rochdale.

Spencer progressed from Athletic’s Centre of Excellence to the youth side at Boundary Park before switching to Everton in 2006.

Loan spells at Yeovil Town and Macclesfield followed before his move to Spotland.