Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup Final - 2007/2008

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Sunday 20 April 2008

Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup Report by Mr. M Schneider - Publications Secretary

Westbury Rangers A blew their chance to end their 35-year wait for Knockout Cup glory as they were beaten by second division Crown Cosmos 1-0 in this season’s final of the presstoprint sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Cup competition. Rangers who went into the final as huge favourites to lift the cup for the first time in their history but after having the better of the early chances in a frantic opening 20 minutes that saw the game flow from end to end and looked as if it would live up to the pre-match expectations, the contest fizzled out and won’t be remember as being a classic, but when the winning goal arrived deep into the second period of extra time it was worth the wait and was worthy of winning an game and it was nothing more than Devizes based Cosmos deserved.

Will Kibby’s Crown Cosmos side who as The Southgate Inn were beaten 6-0 in last term’s showpiece defended really well throughout as their younger opponents were unable to find away through a well organised Cosmos defence for whom Andy Coombes and Nick Taylor were immense. The match started at a frantic pace with chances coming at both ends, Rangers striker Marc Lanfear was causing the Cosmos defence problems with his lighting speed and almost broke the deadlock on three minutes when he lobbed the advancing Cosmos keeper Dave Hopkins but his effort rolled just wide of the target. On six minutes the pacy Tim Coombes broke clear of the Cosmos defence and his cross was met by Matty Smith who should have tested keeper Hopkins from close range. Cosmos have their best chance on nine minutes when Andy Davies shot from distance was turned around the post by Rangers keeper Nathan Taylor. Moments later David Lloyd fired a shot across the face of the Rangers goal and had a Cosmos player taken a gamble and raced into the area it would have been 1-0 Cosmos but at it was the scoreline remained goalless.

Rangers when straight up the other end and won a free kick, which Pete Ayton whipped over and Tim Coombes should really have tested keeper Hopkins but headed over when unmarked. On 17 minutes Cosmos were awarded a free kick and another quality delivery from Andy Davies picked out David Lloyd who headed into the side netting. On 30 minutes Ranger’s went closest to breaking the deadlock when Marc Lanfear cannoned a shot against the bar from eight yards out, and that might just have been the moments that Rangers realised that it wasn’t going to be their day. From then on the game that from to be one of the best final for a while fizzled out into one that will be forgotten rather than talked about for years to come. The next chance to either team came two minutes before the break when Rangers Lanfear found himself in space before being crowded out by two Cosmos defenders and it was a relief when the half time whistle sounded.

The second half started at pedestrian like pace, but Cosmos almost took the lead on 51 minutes when Stuart Skinner’s 30 yards beat Ranger’s keeper Taylor but just dropped over the bar. Cosmos introduced Dean Potter into the game in the 57th minute and he almost worked his magic within seconds of coming on, the lively forward flashed a shot across the face of the Rangers goal and although Potter didn’t trouble keeper Taylor, the ball arrived to the unmarked David Lloyd who should have put his team one up but inexplicably missed when it looked easier to score. Cosmos started to gain the ascendancy at this stage and Nathan Sheridan blasted a free kick wide of the target on 68 minutes, 10 minutes later David Lloyd slipped at the crucial moment when he about to shoot. Shortly after another chance fell to Lloyd who fired over from a good position. At the other end of the field Rangers Nathan Hallett headed wide of the target in the 84th minute and Mark Young shot tamely at keeper Hopkins after Cosmos went close to nicking the game in normal time when another Sheridan free kick from 20 yards flew inches wide of the upright.

Westbury Rangers had the better of the first period of extra time with Marc Lanfear missing from close range and then Pete Ayton curling a brilliant free kick around the wall that had keeper Hopkins beaten all ends up, but thumped against the bar. Further pressure from Rangers saw Sam Tucker and Mark Young have half chances but Cosmos goal remained intact.

Rangers started the second period of extra time in confident mood and Matty Smith had an 18 yard shot cleared of the line by Nick Taylor three minutes in, and eight minutes in Tim Coombes hopeful shot from out wide drifted just wide of the mark. With just four minutes on the clock substitute Potter weaved his magic and produce a stunning strike to give Cosmos the lead, Potter first touch was brilliant as he controlled the ball well and rifled home a sublime strike for what turned out to be the winner. Rangers threw players forward in the hope of grabbing a late equaliser and had the Cosmos defence not put their bodies on the line as they cleared a series of late chances the game could have gone to penalties, Nick Taylor denying Matty Smith what looked a certain goal and with the ball safely in the Rangers half referee Kevin Purbrick blew for the final time.

Charlie Rawlings, manager of the Trowbridge branch of cup sponsors presstoprint presented winning captain Nathan Sheridan with the winning Trophy and Cosmos defender Andy Coombes picked up the player of the match award who was outstanding in the heart of the Cosmos back four.
 

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