HURST GREEN 3, ELTON VALE 0 Lancashire Amateur Cup, Third Round:

THE trip to the Ribble Valley proved fruitless this weekend for Elton Vale as they failed to impose their style of football in a clash with East Lancashire League side, Hurst Green.

Local conditions favoured the home side as they played the slope better than the visitors and stifled the Vale game that seemed to be channeled more than usual down the centre of the pitch.

After an evenly contested opening fifteen minutes, it was the Bury side that appeared to be getting on top as they began to find their feet on the lush turf.

The penetration was not up to scratch, however, and apart from a couple of crosses from Shaun Carey which went close at the far post, the home keeper never came under any real threat.

In turn, the Elton defence didn't have any real problems from their opponents and swallowed up anything that came their way.

The one decisive piece of play went the Hurst Green way in the 50th minute of the first half when Whaites escaped from a tight corner and slung in a cross that left Young to score a header from six yards out.

The second half proved to be as barren as the first as the physically dominant Hurst Green back line absorbed all that Elton could muster.

The best effort came from substitute Tom Stubbs as he burst into the penalty area and forced the keeper to save well from an acute angle.

Success at that point may have given an incentive to Elton to push for a victory.

Instead, the dismissal of Chris Read (for an offence matched by others in the game) forced Elton to operate with reduced numbers at the back while having to push forward whenever possible in search of an equaliser.

The inevitable happened with 10 minutes to go when Tipton got away down the left for Simpson, left unmarked, to score.

In injury time, Walker completed the victory for the Green with a chip over Pemberton from the edge of the area.

A three-goal margin was perhaps not a true reflection of the game but the consensus of the Elton camp was that they got precisely what they deserved from this game - nothing.

It's back to league action this week when the Vale travel to Wilmslow Albion for the last 2.30pm kick-off before the clocks go back.

The reserve side lost out in the local derby with Walshaw, losing 4-3.

The goals came from former Walshaw striker Jon Darby (2) and Damian Berry.

This week, the scheduled league game with undefeated Prestwich Res is likely to be converted to a cup match due to fixture congestion on the appointed day.

Elton's Sunday team progressed to the fourth round of the Lancashire Trophy with a win over the Victoria at Preston, coming from one down to win 2-1 aided by a stunning volley from Damion Keegan.