'Arms bow out of cup with heads held high

CRAVEN Arms gave Shropshire Premier League table-toppers Ellesmere a battle royal before bowing out of the Shropshire Senior Cup at the second hurdle.

The visitors surprised their hosts with quality football and, after a couple of half-chances, took the lead when Danny Crow-ther beat two defenders and rifled a drive into the net for a superb individual goal.

Minutes later he almost repeated the feat but his shot was tipped around the post.

With half-time looming Ellesmere hit back to level when a speculative long ball into the 'Arms box saw two defenders hesitate, allowing the home striker the chance to nip in and slip the ball past Simon Watkins.

The visitors suffered more problems within minutes of the restart when another cross into the box allowed Watkins to find the net.

Mark Blent almost levelled with a sharp header which flew just wide but as time went on the visitors tired and the Elles-mere youngsters took advantage to put the result beyond doubt, leaving Craven Arms beaten, but certainly not disgraced.