Walsden C & FC recovered from a very poor first half display to beat White Lion 4-2 in Rochdale Online Alliance’s President’s Cup.
Manager Dan Howley described their performance in the first half on the 3G pitch at Kingsway as “absolutely terrible.”
Jamie Shackleton denied White Lion with a fine early save but was beaten midway through the half as Walsden struggled for possession.
Centre half Danny Welsh switched positions with central midfielder Harry Whitehead for the second period and the move worked a treat.
Walsh was able to control play and within five minutes of the restart Gary Brierley had levelled the score after a defender had headed onto his own bar.
Josh Gale’s half-volley following a corner made it 2-1 but White Lion equalised with a fine free kick on the hour.
A brilliant individual goal from Joe Gale, whose trickery took him past three opponents, restored Walsden’s lead.
Jonathan Sutcliffe showed blinding speed to get to the ball for a last-minute fourth with the Lion ‘keeper at the other end of the pitch for a corner.
Walsden will play Fothergill and Whittles - also their opponents for a crunch league match last night - in the next round.