Cup kings Carnforth see off plucky Dalton to win Challenge Cup

Joe Wilkinson’s 64th-minute point-blank header - his 37th goal of the season in West Lancs competitions - was the difference between the two sides, who are one division apart.

The first half was fairly even with Division Two outfit Dalton - who had knocked out three Division One sides to get this far - giving a good account of themselves.

They had a great chance early on when a crunching challenge in the midfield kicked the ball into the path of Josh Robinson but he was denied by Callum Morris.

Josh Green fired wide for Rangers down the other end before Wilkinson tested Harrison Round, who went on to half a strong second half showing.

Morris made another fine couple of stops on the 30 minute mark, keeping out Robinson and then Corey Fittes.

After the break, Cameron Holmes’ header from a delightful cross in from the left rattled against the woodwork and Round saved Wilkinson’s low drive as Rangers began the second 45 strongly.

Their dominance since the restart was rewarded on 64 minutes as Joe Jobling sent in one of his - and the team’s - many threatening set pieces on the evening, and Wilkinson connected after leaving his marker at the back post.

He headed it home with aplomb and Carnforth were a goal to the good but they kept pushing.

Substitute Mambwe Chilufya was energetic right from his introduction into the game with fantastic through balls and relentless running; he had the chance to make it two on 78 minutes.

However, Round parried Chilufya’s fierce effort superbly to his right after a wicked low ball from Jack Johnson.

Holmes’ effort from an awkward angle could only find the side netting after some nice build up play, before Round made one final top-drawer save in added time to stop the Rangers frontline from doubling the advantage.

Dalton had a few half-chances from corners and inviting crosses late on but they were all dealt with by captain Stan Rich and his stubborn defence.

Rich and co lifted the trophy following the post-match presentation on the Gamble Road pitch.

Carnforth boss Steven Lancaster said his overriding emotion was ‘relief’ after the game.

“Dalton - what a great side, they put us through the mill and could have easily been two-up themselves [at half time].

“In the first half, we didn't really perform. In the second half, we just pushed up the pitch a little bit and took a bit more control in midfield. Eventually, big Wilko got us the winner from a corner and we’re absolutely delighted.”

Lancaster also touched on the club’s recent success in this cup.

“it's immense. Obviously, we were disappointed Saturday to lose out on promotion. But as I mentioned in our interview in the league roundup, congratulations to [Kendal County].

“Clearly, the league table doesn't lie. They were the better teams. Tonight, we just about got over the line, and the lads were phenomenal.

“We put in a shift, dug in, and we got the result. We couldn't be happier.”

Dalton boss Andy Marshall was full of pride after the game. He said: “It was a hard one, I didn't think there was a lot between either team in the games and it could have gone either way, to be fair.

“Congratulations to Carnforth, at the end of the day, they’ve put the ball in the back of the net and it only took one goal to win the game.

Reflecting on their cup run, Marshall added: “Credit to the boys in the changing room, I said to them, in my eyes and the rest of the club's eyes, they'd already won tonight before they'd even stepped on the pitch.

“I think the run they've had has been fantastic, even the run of games in April, it's been hard work for them.

“They've stuck together, they've stuck to task and we've shown what the ability is amongst the group and just instilled that belief now.

“Hopefully we can kick on into the next season and challenge those sort of teams.”