Little Driffield extended their unbeaten run to four games with a cup win over Division Two side Mermaid Old Boys.
The home side struggled early on to gain control but then started to gain an upper hand. Firstly Hilmi struck the post on 20 minutes and then fellow striker Berriman saw his powerful strike from seven yards tipped over by a stunning save.
However Mermaid thought they had opened the scoring on 35 minutes when a good ball played across the goal was partly saved by Long with the away players insisting the ball had crossed the line, but Long remained adamant that the full ball hadn’t gone over.
Into the second half and with a full bench of substitutes available, M Blair come on after 55 minutes. Shortly afterwards his late challenge allowed Mermaid to open the scoring when a well taken free kick picked out their centre back to head in.
However M Blair soon made amends on 60 minutes when he rose highest in the box to head home a Berriman corner.
Long in goal then managed to get a hand to a low drive to tip the ball onto the post as Mermaid looked to respond.
Next fellow substitute Whatling was looking sharp after his introduction and after a clever one two with D Blair, he teed up Whatling to drill home into the bottom corner for his first ever goal at Little Driffield.
M Blair then had a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper as Little Driffield looked to kill the game off.
As Mermaid pushed more men forward, the resilient Little Driffield back four stood firm, marshalled well by the midfield to book their place in round two.
Super sub, Whatling, was pleased to net the winner. He said ‘’That is the most important goal I have ever scored!
“I was really pleased to come off the bench and help win it as the lads deserved the victory.’’
Little Driffield are sponsored by Paul Berriman Double Glazing, Chris Gray Ltd Plumbing & Heating and M.B Electrical.
Referee’s man of match: Hilmi
Team: Long, Melling, Neal, S. Raines (c), M. Raines, Clarkson, D. Blair, S. Bateman (J. Bateman), S. Palmer (M. Blair), Berriman, Hilmi (Whatling).