Crooklands battled tremendously hard in a well fought out contest in heavy conditions.

Stoneclough who had the majority of the play in the first half spread the ball well and played some decent football.

Cassies keeper Ben Sowerby was in outstanding form in the Crooklands goals.

Stoneclough took the lead on the stroke of half time when they got wide on the left hand side and the pinpoint cross found Steve Harrison free at the back post and he made no mistake.

Although Stoneclough had the majority of the play it was a disappointing time to concede a goal. Crooklands had previously struck the bar.

As the second half commenced Crooklands began to create some danger of their own and Steve Caskie hit a powerful shot that rattled the bar once again.

The game was now opening up. Cassies Keeper Sowerby was called upon time and time again as he kept the home side at bay.

David Graves went close to equalising for Cassies with a header from a Dave Mansergh cross.

It was a great effort from Cassies with Ben Sowerby in particular outstanding. Ross Coulson was also magnificent at the heart of the Crooklands defence and Callum Callum worked like a Trojan in midfield.

When Lewis Bowron came on for his first team debut in the second period he was the sixth player under 18 to have participated in the game for Cassies.