North West Counties League First Division Cup

Round Three

AFC Blackpool 0

Ellesmere Rangers 2

Ellesmere Rangers picked up their second win in four games as they progressed to the next round of the First Division Cup with a win over AFC Blackpool.

Goals either side of half-time for Rangers sent the north Shropshire team through to the next round of the competition.

Their Division One North hosts came into the game on the back of a derby win over Garstang.

Ellesmere started the game well as they looked to continue their successful cup run.

After a handful of early chances, Rangers were rewarded for their efforts as they took the lead after 25 minutes through Adam Davies.

Davies capitalised on some sloppy defending by the Blackpool side and put his side ahead with the afternoon’s first goal.

Both teams fought to find the next goal as a tight first half drew to a close.

After the break, the game picked up where it left off in the first half with both sides defending well to keep chances to a minimum.

Rangers were able to double their lead with around 20 minutes left on the clock.

Seth Ellis’ strike all but settled the result and confirmed Rangers’ place in the hat for the draw for the next round.

Fellow Division One South sides Cheadle Heath Nomads and Sandbach United also progressed to the next round of the cup.

Ellesmere return to action when they travel to face second-placed Rylands this Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

Rangers remain bottom of the table and are now nine points from safety with Maine Road on 15 points in 18th. Rylands are coming into the game second in the form table and boast the best defensive record in the league having only conceded 13 goals in 16 games.