View slideshowA STRONG performance from Lancaster City saw them through this five goal thriller at Giant Axe.
City were under the cosh from the off and were not at their best throughout the first half. However a gift of a goal from Woodley keeper Ben Connett, when he fumbled Mark Jackson's shot, gave them a foothold in the game which they did not relinquish.
Goals from Paul Haddow and a wonder free kick from Lee Dodgson sent them two goals clear before a late consolation goal made the score line look respectable for the visitors.
The Dolly Blues will have been disappointed with the way they struggled to get on terms in the first 40 minutes of this game.
A smart strike from Gavin Salmon, who broke through to slide the ball under Neil Beesley, not only put the visitors ahead but showed the threat they possessed when given time and space.
City could not seem to settle but it is a sign of a good team to win when not at their best. It is also a sign of a good team that they take any advantage given to them, which is exactly what City did when Connett's howler on 39 minutes let them back into the game.
Tom Entwisle chipped the ball forward to Dave Foster who laid it off to Jackson whose tame shot looked a simple save for Connett. The unlucky stopper seemed to grab everything but the ball and it squirted over the line. The goal galvanised City.
They furthered their lead some 10 minutes into the second half through man of the match Haddow.
City rarely looked like throwing away their lead. Haddow was partnered in midfield by the bustling Dominic Ward.
It was the mercurial Dodgson who put the gloss on this performance with a fine free-kick from just over 20 yards. With the ball central to the goal he took a short run up and whipped the ball into the right-hand corner, leaving the 'keeper with no chance.
The late, late consolation resulted from a rather dubious penalty, initially well saved by Neil Beesley but then swept home by full-back Paul Collins.
LANCASTER CITY: Beesley 7, Entwisle 7, Elderton 7, Teague 7, Stringfellow 7, Haddow 8, Reid 7 (Heffernan 80), Ward 7, Foster 7 (Marshall 73), Jackson 7, Dodgson 8(Gierke 84)
Subs not used: Price, Helliwell
Referee: Neil Yates
STARMAN Paul Haddow Marshalled the midfield and drove the team on.
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