Monday 15 August 2011 - Christleton Res 1 Upton Res 1 - In their first league match of the new season the Reserves welcomed two new starters in Darren Wallace and Neil Jones. The first half throughout was both competitive and even, neither side gaining the upper hand .Upton's first chance came in ten minutes, when Mark Thomson shot just wide, but Christleton were to open the scoring when a shot from a free kick outside the penalty box was only parried by keeper Jamie Price to an advancing forward who scored from close range. Upton's clearest opportunity to equalise came on forty minutes when a clever shot from Carl van Hien hit the base of the post only to rebound to Eymond-Jones who shot over from close range. As the second half progressed the Reserves gradually gained more control and were rewarded on sixty minutes when Eymond- Jones made no mistake this time from an excellent and early Thomson cross from the right. Three second half substitutions Ellis Dunning, Richard Kean and Warren Kelly freshened the side up and chances to take the lead began to appear whilst the defence stayed in control. Richard Keen to Warren Kelly whose shot was well saved. Another attack down the Upton right and cross just beyond advancing forwards resulted in a corner which Christleton scrambled clear .Dave Carman from close range hits the helpless keeper in the face and the ball goes for a corner. Martin Williams hits a half chance over the bar , but soon is a passenger carrying a strain. In the final minutes Upton concede two needless free kicks just outside their penalty area as Christleton finally gain some territory, but the defence continues to hold out. Team; Price, C.Dunning, Cossins, Wallace, Jones, Williams, Carman, Walsh, Van Hien, E-Jones, Thomson. Subs; Ellis Dunning, Keen, Warren Kelly.
Saturday 20 August 2011. Upton Res 0 Helsby 6 Against a Helsby side, having resigned from the first division, the Reserves started in the worst possible manner. Within two minutes of the kick off a long ball down the Upton left was picked up by a Helsby forward, probably offside, an immediate cross and a simple tap in with the defence caught out. Minutes later a series of reckless defensive short passes in the Reserves penalty area ended with a mis-kick and a goal gifted to Helsby. A strong Helsby mid-field began to dominate and the Reserve's attempts on goal were confined to a Mark Thomson header and a couple of shots from Richard Keen. Before half-time Helsby take a 3-0 lead when a free kick from just outside a crowded Upton penalty area is scrambled in. The second half begins with the best Upton move of the match ending with the keeper saving well. Nevertheless Helsby continue to take control and Upton forwards fail to retain possession leaving the defence hard pressed and more goals follow. A penalty is awarded for a trip by Jamie Price who has been left exposed and finally another disputed penalty is awarded for hand ball. Much of the second half is marked by a minority of new Reserve signings surrendering, leaving the rest of the side to battle on. Team; Price, Shone, Wallace, Cossins, C.Dunning, Van Hien, Carman, Walsh, Keen, Thomson, Eymond-Jones. Subs; Warren Kelly, Ashbrook, Depuis, Nelson.
Monday 22 August 2011. Capenhurst 2 Upton Res 3. With only two changes, Ellis Dunning and Neil Jones, from the side heavily defeated by Helsby on the previous Saturday, the Reserves opened the match in a very different spirit. Within two minutes of the start a low cross from a free kick beats the Capenhurst defence and Ellis Dunning calmly places the ball in the net. A series of Jareth Ashbrook raids down the left prove dangerous. A Richard Keen corner leads to a Mark Thomson header being kicked off the line and soon Eymond-Jones mis- kicks an opportunity. After these numerous attacks, the Reserves are rewarded again when an excellent through ball from Chris Dunning finds Eymond-Jones who is challenged by an advancing keeper for the ball to fall to Mark Thomson who lobs in for a second Upton goal. Throughout the first half the Reserve defence is untroubled, whilst Capenhurst is kept under frequent attack. The opening 20 minutes of the second half are without incident although Capenhurst are less on the defensive. However, soon after Capenhurst score from a cross and simple tap in from close range. From the restart sub Simon Andrews heads against the post for Eymond - Jones to back heel the rebound into the net. Although 3-1 down Capenhurst are not finished and reduce the score to 3-2 with a shot from 35 yards over keeper Price's head and in. For the remainder of the game The Reserves are less in control and goal scoring chances limited to a rash blast over the bar when unchallenged and an Ellis Dunning header wide from a corner. A deserved victory in which the back four were outstanding and up front more care would have produced more goals. Team; Price, C.Dunning, N.Jones, S.Cossins, E.Dunning, C.van Hien, J.Ashbrook, D.Carman, J.Eymond- Jones, M.Thomson, R.Keen. Subs; S.Andrews, Todd Reid, A.Eymond-Jones.
Sat 27 August 2011. Hale 1 Upton Res 2. Bank Holiday fixture reduced the Reserves to a bare eleven players with Manager Matty Jones in goal, who incidentally gave a faultless display. The first half was characterised by a whole string of attacks and missed chances. The Reserves opened on 2 minutes with a cross from Matty Crank, making a welcome debut, and shot over the bar from inside the six yard box. In the only Hale attack of the early minutes a penalty was awarded for a trip, only for the taker to hit the post and be cleared by a grateful Reserve defence. But on ten minutes the Reserves at last find the net when a long Chris Dunning free kick is headed on for Mikel Godras to score with an excellent first time shot. In the meantime Matty Jones makes a fine high one handed save. There then follows a succession of chances not taken. Pat Walsh just fails to get a shot off on the edge of the box and I Boldea in his first match has a shot diverted for a corner. A poor back pass by the Hale defence leads to hasty miss with their keeper stranded. Matty Crank lobs over, Dave Carman shoots over, Eymond-Jones heads over, Mikel Godras shoots at the keeper. At half time the score remains at 1-0 when it might have been 5-0.The second half continues much the same but with fewer opportunities until Hale hit the foot of the Upton post with a free kick from the edge of the box with the wall out of position. Eventually the Reserves score a second goal from Eymond-Jones after clever play by Mikel Godras. Five minutes from time Hale score in a rare attack after a long through ball along the floor and down the middle beats the central defence. In the final minutes Hale clear off their own goal line and the Reserves hit the cross bar but no goals are forthcoming. The final score of only 2-1 to the Reserves remains a mystery. Team; M.Jones, S.Cossins, M.Thomson, L.Wainwright, C.Dunning, M.Crank, P.Walsh, D.Carman, I.Boldea, Eymond-Jones, M.Godras
Tues 30 August 2011 Manor Athletic Res 1 Upton Res 3. The Reserves started cold and in disarray and within 5 minutes of the kick off were 1-0 down following a defensive error leaving the Manor forward with a simple tap in. Soon after, as if to emphasise the slow start, a short back pass to Matty Jones, again forced to deputise in goal, left him stranded but fortunately Manor shot just wide of the upright. Slowly the whole Reserve side began to settle and on 30 minutes from a long goal, kick Mark Thomson flicked on a header for Eymond-Jones to seize on and with a deliberate pass beat the defence for Pat Walsh to pick up and score emphatically. On the first half run of play the Reserves were perhaps fortunate to be level. The second half saw a much improved performance throughout and within 5 minutes of the restart a Mark Thomson ball to the feet of Richard Keen saw him run 20 yards through the defence to score in the far corner. This was soon followed by a series of passes to feet which left Pat Walsh in only to blast hastily wide into the side netting. The Reserve's second half superiority was rudely interrupted when Eymond-Jones was sent off needlessly for dissent. On 75 minutes, following a corner and a goalmouth scramble the 10 Reserves were fortunate to clear off their goal line. It was with ten men and some loss of territory that the whole of the Reserve's defence showed it's determination, with Ellis Dunning outstanding. With Mikel Godras and Jareth Ashbrook on as substitutes the Reserve's took a secure 3-1 lead with another fine goal. Pat Walsh finds Mikel Godras wide on the right who drives on to the by-line and crosses to Jareth Ashcroft, who having made a 30 yard dash into the box scores convincingly. A poor start but a determined win. Team; M.Jones, C.Dunning, S.Cossins, L.Wainwright, E.Dunning, P.Walsh, C.Van Hein, D.Carman, J.Eymond-Jones, M.Thomson, R.Keen. Subs; M.Godras, J.Ashbrook, I.Boldea. Scorers ; Walsh, Keen, Ashbrook.
Sat 3 September 2011. Upton Res 2 Neston Nomads 0 - New to the League Neston Nomads visited Upton Res ,who were looking to add to their three game winning run. The game started slowly with stray passing from both sides. After 15 minutes Upton began to exert some pressure when Richard Keen went close with a header. They were rewarded on 26 minutes with a well worked goal, Eymond-Jones supplying a neat pass for Richard Keen to slot home from 10 yards. For the rest of the first half Upton pressure did not bring another goal and the Reserve's back four coped easily with any Neston attacks. The second half started with Upton again on the front foot, Danu Maghici forcing the Neston keeper into a good save following a great Eymond - Jones knock down. Stuart Cossins hit a 25 yard screamer which the Neston keeper did well to tip over. Pat Walsh had a good chance and again the keeper saved well. On 30 minutes into the second half Neston had a succession of corners which came to nothing and Upton again pressed forward with Richard Keen forcing a great reflex save. Then on 35 minutes, substitute Iohun Boldea went on a great run beating two players before pulling the ball back for Eymond - Jones to score in the top corner. Just before the final whistle, Pat Walsh again forced the Neston keeper into another good save. The game ended 2-0 to the Reserves who deserved to win, but should have won by a greater margin. Team; Burtenshaw, Crank, Thomson, Cossins, C.Dunning, Keen, Walsh, Van Hein, Ashbrook, Eymond- Jones, Maghici Subs; Boldea , M.Jones. Scorers; Keen, Eymond -Jones.
Sat 10 September
2011. Upton Res 1 Kelsall 2 (aet). - Chester FA Challenge
Cup . In
this the 1st round of the Chester And District Challenge Cup the Reserves faced
Kelsall and began in the worst manner possible by conceding a bizarre goal on 5
minutes ,with confusion between Adam Bedford in goal and the defence some 30
yards from the Upton line. The Kelsall forward gratefully walked the ball into
the net. For the remainder of the next 30 minutes the Reserves managed to
squander possession with careless passing. The Kelsall defence was notable for a
very tall centre half whose game was made easier by a series of optimistic
Reserve long high balls. Eventually on 30 minutes, in the first series of short
passes on the floor, Mark Thomson equalised with a fine shot. The remainder of
the first half continued with few chances for either side and the Reserves
continuing to insist on not playing to their strengths, and hitting hopeful long
balls. The second half began with Mark Thomson missing a clear opportunity with
only the keeper to beat. On 15 minutes Ionut Boldea narrowly misses within
seconds of substituting for the injured Richard Keen. Later on Eymond-Jones also
fails to score following a one on one with the Kelsall keeper, a missed chance
like the others which were to prove decisive. The remainder of the second half
continued with few goal opportunities falling to Kelsall and so to 10 minutes
each way of extra time. Early in the first half of extra time Kelsall take the
lead with a fine headed goal from a long cross to the far post. In the second
half Dinu Maghici has a shot blocked ,Carl van Hien has a shot tipped over from
a short penalty, but the Reserves played without sufficient heart to equalise
again and suffered a second consecutive defeat in the 1st round of the Chester
and District Challenge Cup! Team; Bedford, Brown, Cossins,Kelly, C.Dunning,
Keen, Carman, van Hien, Ashbrook, Thomson, Eymond-Jones. Subs; Maghici, Boldea,
Crank.
Sat 17 September 2011. Upton Res 4 Belfry 5. The match began quietly in view of what was to come later, until on 25 minutes Ionut Boldea lobs narrowly over the bar. Within seconds Stuart Cossins clears off the line and at the opposition end a cross from Aidan Eymond is just missed by Nathan Freeman. Soon afterwards another long cross from Aidan Eymond is this time smacked into the roof of the net by Nathan Freeman. Within a few minutes Ionut Boldea fires just over after some excellent close dribbling past two defenders. Belfry ,however, are not without chances and soon almost equalise.10 minutes from half time a brave header from Dave Carman puts Nathan Freeman through for a well taken second goal. In securing the header Dave Carman suffers a head injury and takes no further part in the game. Just minutes before half time Ionut Boldea scores the third goal with a clever lob to secure a would be comfortable lead. The second half begins with a doubtful penalty conceded by Stuart Cossins and Belfry see a chance of recovery. Soon after they score a second with a through ball leaving the Reserve's defence spectators. On 30 minutes Belfry equalise with a third goal as three of their players pour through the defence. Worse is to come as the Reserves fail to resist a Belfry onslaught which yields two more goals to make five goals in 38 minutes. Five minutes from the final whistle the Belfry keeper drops a high cross and Dinu Maghici half volleys into the net from close range. The final score of 5 -4 to the opposition leaves most wondering why the remarkable turn around in fortune. Team; Cartwright, C.Dunning, Jones, Cossins, Wallace, Walsh, Van Hien, Carman, Eymond, Freeman, Boldea. Subs; Maghici, Crank, Williams. Scorers Freeman 2,Boldea,Maghici.
Sat 24 September 2011.Upton Res 2 AFC Bebington Ath Res Upton started well and Dave Carmen scored to give them a 1-0 half time lead. Nathan Freeman scored to increase the lead before Aiden Jones was harshly sent off reducing Upton to 10 men. AFC Bebbington then took the advantage to score twice to level the score with only 5 minutes of the game left to play. Another game Upton should really have won. Scorers David Carman and Nathan Freeman
Sat 1 October 2011. Ellesmere Port Res 1 v Upton Res 1. In a rearranged early kick off Upton had the better of the first fifteen minutes and missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Emergency keeper Mark Thompson the made two outstanding saves to prevent Ellesmere Port taking the lead. Ten minutes before the interval Ellesmere took the lead when a player was allowed to get in with a close range effort. I-0 half time to The Port. Upton had the better chances in the second half although it was pretty even until Stuart Cossins equalised with a left foot drive from about 12 yards out. Final score 1-1
Sat 8 October 2011. Chester Nomads Res 4 Upton 1 - scorer OG - match report to follow
Sat 15 October 2011. Upton Res 1 Mersey Royal 4 - The match opened with the Reserves scoring 5 minutes from the kick off. A clever back heel from Jon Eymond -Jones this time succeeds and Matty Crank scores calmly past the keeper. This proves later to be the one and only Upton goal. Within 3 minutes of taking the lead a Mersey Royal cross is allowed to bounce in the Upton 6 yard box and Stuart Cossins heads into his own net. The game continued end to end until on 25 minutes a move down the Upton left results in a first time cross to an unmarked forward who scores easily.10 minutes later the whole defence stand still appealing for an offside, which is not given, and The Mersey Royal forward walks through to score. In the second half the Reserves loose all shape and discipline and the Mersey Royal keeper copes well with the shots from Richard Keen and Carl van Hein. In an effort to recover the deficit some of the side decide mistakenly to wander. Team; J.Price, M.Williams, S.Cossins, N.Jones, M.Jones, M.Crank, D.Carman, C.Van Hein, R.Keen, N.Freeman, Eymond -Jones. Scorer ;M.Crank
Sat 22 October 2011 Upton Res 1 New Brighton Res 1 - Scorer - Mark Thompson - match report to follow
Sat 29 October 2011 Third Division Shield - Upton Res 4 Neston Nomads 1 - Scorers D Carman 2, J Eymond-Jones 2 - In this the 1st Round of the 3rd Division League Cup [ Shield] The Reserves began cautiously and for 15 minutes play was even despite the Reserves playing against a strong wind. The first Upton goal took 25 minutes when Dinu Maghici was tripped dribbling in the box. Dave Carman drove the penalty home into the right hand corner of the net. Chances continued when Jon Eymond- Jones went narrowly over after an intelligent move involving Matty Crank and Dinu Maghici. Carl van Hien also shoots wide from inside the box. Neston also have an opportunity to score down the Upton left, but Jamie Price in his third match following illness, saves well and continues to be excellent throughout. Chances for Upton continue, Liam Durcan puts Dinu Maghici through who is denied by a good save. Just on half time another precise cross from Liam Durcan and Eymond - Jones flicks the ball over the keeper into the net. Five minutes into the second half Ionut Boldea replaces a weary Durcan and makes an immediate impression with a series of attacks down the Upton left. As confidence grows so the Upton passing becomes shorter and the ball is retained for longer. A series of passes between Matty Crank and Eymond-Jones across the edge of the Neston penalty area gives Dave Carman the chance to drive into the corner for a 3-0 lead. Five minutes from time a long ball defeats the Neston defence and Eymond-Jones is left alone to score through them keeper's legs.
Sat 5 November 2011 - Bebington2 Upton Res 0 - The Reserves began flat and lethargically and within 5 minutes of the start were a goal down when a through ball caught the central defence on its heels leaving keeper Jamie Price exposed. Bebington continued to create and spurn chances throughout the first half whilst the Upton defence struggled. On 30 minutes Sean Finch, returning from injury, has a fine shot blocked by the Bebington keeper's feet who otherwise was not troubled. Richard Keen late in the first half makes an excellent defensive header facing his own net to keep the score at a fortunate 1-0.The second half brings a significant improvement, Pat Walsh substitutes for an injured Mark Thomson, and within minutes of the restart Richard keen breaks through from mid - field only to fail to beat the keeper. Bebington, however, are still gifted a chance when a poor back pass is seized on for Jamie Price to tip onto the crossbar and be scrambled away. Will Kelly comes on and adds more strength to the side and soon a quick break and Sean Finch cross finds E-Jones just offside. The second half improvement is rewarded on 20 minutes when Carl van Hien is hacked down in the penalty area. Dave Carman drives the penalty wide and the momentum is lost. Late in the second half Bebington score a second with one member of the Upton central defence absent without leave, leaving the Upton keeper stranded. A generally poor performance against a weaker Bebington side who were just more determined. Team; Price,Williams,Cossins,Thomson,Crank,Keen,Finch,Carman,Van Hien,Maghici,E-Jones Subs;Kelly,Walsh,R.Farrell
Sat 12 November 2011 - Neston Nomads 3 Upton Res 2 - Scorers Nathan Freeman, Jon Eymond-Jones - match report to follow
Sat 19 November 2011 - South Liverpool 3 Upton Res 0 - Against South Liverpool, currently top of the 3rd Division, the Reserves started with a determination lacking in the last two defeats against much weaker opposition. South Liverpool opened the scoring in 10 minutes with a fierce header from a free kick into the Upton penalty area. Despite energetic defence the Reserves were rescued by an excellent save with his feet by Jamie Price. However, the opposition scored a second on 44 minutes and throughout the first half the South Liverpool keeper had nothing to save .On recent form the Reserves looked in for a heavy defeat during the second half, but kept battling and Eymond- Jones missed a rare goalscoring opportunity. Nevertheless the opposition scored a third after a poor defensive header. The South Liverpool side continued to break quickly from mid- field to support any attacks and under this pressure too often the Reserves resorted to hasty clearances only to lose possession. The only other Upton chance was from Vidal Spaine on 40 minutes, but his shot was tipped over. Altogether a determined performance against a strong side.Team; Price, Williams,Crank,Walsh,Cossins, Boldea, Keen, Carman,Van Hien,Spaine,Eymond-Jones. Subs;Maghici, Ashford.
Sat 26 November 2011 - Merseyside Police 1 Upton Res 1 - Scorer - N Ashford - The Riverside Police ground was aptly named as a gale force wind swept directly down the pitch from the Mersey and was to dominate any football played. Upton opened the first half against the wind and struggled to make any sense of the conditions. Play by both sides was ragged and the Reserves inevitably spent much of the opening minutes in their own half. Eventually a rare through ball along the ground found a square defence out appealing for off side and the Police forward drove into the corner of the net with Jamie Price exposed. Upton attacks in the first half were few, the best of which was an excellent through pass by Dave Carman to Eymond-Jones who was brought down just outside of the penalty area. Meanwhile Jamie Price saves well with his feet and a minute before half time The Police hit the post. Perhaps the Reserves had done well to keep the score down to a single goal with much owed to the back four. Like the opposition, the Reserves failed to take total advantage of the wind and were frustrated by overhit passes and corners taken over by the wind. Nevertheless the whole eleven persevered and a Dave Carman cross to Ionut Boldea found him only just denied. On 40 minutes Eymond - Jones was narrowly wide from a free kick. Finally the side were rewarded when a rare series of passes between Eymond - Jones and substitute James Andrews left Dave Carman with little time, but managed to toe- poke the ball onto the net. Before the final whistle the Police keeper made a spectacular save in his top corner to deny the Reserves a winning score. Team;Price, Williams, Rowland, C.Thompson, Crank, Walsh, van Hien, Carman, Eymond-Jones,Maghici, Boldea. Subs;Ashford, J.Andrews.
Sat 3 December 2011 - Upton Res 5 Mossley Hill Ath 2. Scorers - Maghici, Farrell, Eymond-Jones, Thomson, OG. Scorers Against a Mossley Hill Reserve side near the top of the 3rd Division, Upton were gifted an own goal early in the first half. A second followed from Dinu Maghici to take an early 2-0 lead. As so often this season, the Reserves fail to take advantage of an early lead and concede two goals in the rest of the half to go in at half time - two each. Minor injuries to Pat Walsh and Dinu Maghici necessitated substitution by Ionut Boldea and Ryan Farrell and both were to play a significant role in the second half. Perhaps the turning point came with a third goal from substitute Ryan Farrell. Upton were then to enjoy their best spell of the match and Jon Eymond-Jones was to add a fourth with his left foot. In the final moments of the game Mark Thomson scored a fifth to secure the Reserve's highest score of the season. Team; Price, Williams, Rowland, Cossins, Thomson, Walsh, Crank, P.Carman, Eymond-Jones, Maghici, Freeman. Subs; R.Farrell, Boldea, Lamaitre.
Sat 10 December 2011 - Upton Res 2 Ellesmere Port 0 - Scorers Ryan Farrell, Pat Walsh. In this the quarter final of the Division 3 League Cup, Ellesmere Port started the stronger, but gradually the Reserves improved and following a corner Ryan Farrell, making his first start for the club, scored a spectacular goal with an overhead kick. Ellesmere Port were soon to miss a clear opportunity to equalise and at half time the Reserves were somewhat fortunate to retain a 1-0 lead. Soon after the restart Stuart Cossins missed a great opportunity to increase the lead and later Ryan Farrell netted a second, only to be ruled just offside. Matty Crank, who had worked tirelessly throughout, passed to Pat Walsh who scored off an upright with the keeper left standing. In the last 20 minutes Ellesmere Port increased the pressure but failed to break a resolute defence led by Mark Thomson. All in all an excellent performance by all of the squad. Team; Price, Ashford, Rowland, Cossins, Thomson, Walsh, Crank, Eymond-Jones, Farrell, Freeman, Boldea. Subs; Van Hien, Maghici, P.Carman
Sat 7 January 2012 New Brighton Res 0 Upton Res 0. The customary New Brighton strong wind blowing straight down the pitch was to influence for the worse the quality of the football played by both sides. Playing with the wind at their backs the Reserves escaped an early goal when New Brighton hit the top of the crossbar in the opening minute. Nevertheless in the remainder of the first half it was the Reserves who enjoyed the most obvious scoring chances. On 15 minutes a long clearance caught by the following wind beat the opposition defence but Mark Thomson hurriedly shot well over the bar, with only the keeper to beat. Later a subtle pass from Mark Thomson at the edge of the penalty area to Ryan Farrell who cleverly back heeled, only to hit the foot of the post and rebound out. Possibly the clearest of all the first half opportunities fell to Stuart Cossins when a corner driven along the ground into the six yard box somehow was mis-kicked. The few chances which fell to New Brighton in the first half were thwarted by excellent handling by Jamie Price and one outstanding save with his feet on 25 minutes. Halftime came with no Upton goals despite the supposed advantage of a strong following wind. Surprisingly, perhaps, New Brighton also found the wind no great advantage in the second half and the Upton back four proved strong and determined with Mark Thomson returning to centre back. Early in the second half an excellent interception and through pass by Steve Rowland found Ryan Farrell whose shot was well saved. Substitutes Jareth Ashbrook and Ryan Cartwright were to make important contributions when coming on after 20 minutes into the second half. Both sides fought hard to secure a winning goal and Jamie Price was to make two important saves, although New Brighton did hit the top of the crossbar near the end. The Reserves also had chances to take a lead but clear chances were squandered by hurried finishing when there was time and space to spare. Nevertheless the whole Reserve side showed great effort even if at times more patience might have been rewarded. Team; Price, Rowland, C.Dunning, Cossins, Thomson, Walsh, Williams, P.Carman, J.Eymond - Jones, Crank. R.Farrell. Subs; Cartwright, Ashbrook.
Sat 14 January 2012 Upton Res 2 Ellesmere Port Res 1 The opening 20 minutes were scrappy and both sides were guilty of careless and hurried passing. The first opportunity to score fell to Matty Crank who headed over from a well placed cross from the right. Soon after Ryan Cartwright created a second chance only for the Port keeper to save well. Having previously shown few signs of scoring Ellesmere Port took the lead after 35 minutes When the Upton defence failed to make a challenge from a cross and the attacker's fierce shot left Jamie Price helpless. The remainder of the first half continued with neither side able to string passing movements together. The mid field players were by-passed. Within 5 minutes of the restart Stuart Cossins equalised following a clever chipped cross into the penalty area from Steve Rowland. On 15 minutes the Port hit the post from outside the area, just a reminder they were not finished. Substitutes Carl van Hien and Ionut Boldea were soon to add some momentum to the Upton attacks and chances were soon to follow. The Reserves took the lead when a flick into the edge of the area found Ryan Cartwright who lobbed over an advancing keeper into the empty net. In the final 15 minutes Jon Boldea and Dave Carman were to shoot wide and the keeper was to make an outstanding save to deny Ryan Cartwright a second goal. Meanwhile the Upton back four and secure handling in goal by Jamie Price denied the Port any chance to equalise. Team; Price, Walsh, Rowland, Cossins, Thomson, Williams, Crank, Carman, E-Jones, Cartwright, Farrell. Subs; van Hien, Boldea, Maghici.
Sat 28 January 2012. Belfry 3 Upton Res 2. A host of injuries and unexplained last minute withdrawals meant the Reserves travelled to Liverpool with no substitutes and Matty Jones compelled to play for 90 minutes. The Reserves started as if they were still stuck on Runcorn Bridge and were a goal down in 5 minutes, when a quick break down the Upton left and an instant cross left their centre forward unchallenged to place in the corner of the net. It was 15 minutes before the Reserves launched an attack, when Ionut Boldea cut in from the right wing only to shoot well wide. A minute later the first passing movement succeeded in releasing Matty Crank and a sequence of passes to feet right from the keeper gave Dave Carman a chance,only to shoot well wide. Belfry, however, continued to be stronger all round and their quick breaks from defence soon produced a second goal. On 28 minutes Belfry went into a 3-0 lead when a short corner to an unmarked player and a cross was headed home. It was almost half time before the Reserves were to trouble the opposition defence after a long free kick was headed against the foot of the post by Stuart Cossins only to rebound clear.At half time the prospect was only of damage limitation in the second half. However an improvement throughout the team was evident from the start and within minutes of the restart John Eymond-Jones pressured the keeper' clearance and the ball fell to Ryan Farrell who shot wide with the goal empty. Two minutes later a Matty Crank run down the right to the by-line and a cross resulted in a goal from close range for Eymond-Jones. For 15 minutes the Reserves continued to dominate and were rewarded when Eymond-Jones was to score a second after a clever dribble and cross from Ionut Boldea. The Belfry side were now weakening and only once in the second half were to trouble Jamie Price who saved well with his feet. Finishing, however,was hurried as Belfry resorted to hasty clearances. Mysteriously Matty Crank was given a second yellow with 10 minutes to go, but still the Reserves pressed, the final chance to equalise falling to Dave Carman after a move between Carl van Hien and Eymond-Jones. The second half performance alone deserved a draw, but not to be after a slow start. Team; Price, M.Jones, Walsh, Cossins, Williams, Boldea, Carman, van Hien,Crank,R.Farrell, Eymond-Jones. Scorer; Eymond Jones (2)