Goals from Lewis Bergin and Jim O’Neill ensured Kidsgrove Athletic beat local rivals Newcastle Town to progress in the Emirates FA Cup.
The goals came either side of the interval, both from set-pieces, which manager Ryan Austin will be satisfied with. However, the Newcastle equaliser was also a free-kick from former Kidsgrove forward Jordan Cole.
Bergin had the first effort of the game after just 10 minutes of play. His cross-come-shot almost caught out Harry Pickering. However, the keeper managed to grab the ball on the goal line.
While at the other end Mike Conlon saw his shot go just wide of the post after a quick free-kick was played to him in the area.
Grove hit the bar twice within a matter of minutes. First Ruben Wiggins-Thomas made a jinking run into the area only to see his effort hit the woodwork. The same fate met Anthony Malbon after he beat Pickering.
However, Kidsgrove were not to be denied on 39 minutes when Alex Morris was brought down as he advanced. Bergin took the free-kick, which went through the wall and nestled into the back of the net. A great way to end the first half for the Grove.
Newcastle were level just four minutes after the restart. Bergin had accidentally handled the ball in the D. Up stepped Cole whose’s free-kick managed to beat Harrison and land in the back of the net.
Kidsgrove retook the lead on 74 minutes when O’Neill rose highest to head home a Bergin free-kick, which had been whipped in from the touchline. It also marked O’Neill’s first goal for the club.
The last 15 minutes were a nervy affair as Newcastle tried to force extra-time. However, the closest they got to that second goal was when Ethan Cartwright headed wide at the back post from a Cole corner.
Kidsgrove Athletic: Harrison, Thompson (Rhodes, 85), Morris, Hall, O’Neill, Butler, Adu Gyamfi, Blake, Wiggins-Thomas (Jennings, 89), Malbon and Bergin.
Unused subs: Jepson and Savage.
Newcastle Town: Pickering, Bradbury, Glover (Ahmadi, 46, Shaw,76), T. Van Der Laan, Askey, Dennis, Putnam (Cartwright,84), Attrell, Cole, Ward and Conlon.
Unused subs: Barnes and Gill.
Attendance:210
