Eric Hughes Memorial KO Cup
- 2009/2010
Sponsored by
Reebrooks Print Media
The Final - Sunday
18 April 2010
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Biddestone Social |
2 |
Westbury Rangers 'A' |
1 |
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Nat Auckland, Jamie Lyons |
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Dave Whyte |
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PLEASE NOTE: All Cup games shall be played to a finish, If the
scores are level after 90 minutes Extra Time will be played and if
the score remains level after Extra Time the Match shall be decided
on Penalties.
Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup
Report
by Mr. M Schneider - Publications Secretary
Biddestone Social claim Knockout Cup
final victory
KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL: On a beautiful spring afternoon in front of a
bumper crowd at Chippenham Town’s Hardenhuish Park and on a lovely
playing surface premier division side Biddestone Social and Westbury
Rangers served up a feast of football in the final of the reebrooks
print media-sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup which saw
Biddestone claim a 2-1 triumph.
Biddestone started the game at a frantic pace and kept Westbury pinned
in their half for most of the opening ten minute. Biddestone had
numerous long throws and great corners from player-manager Jamie Lyons.
Within that 10 minutes Gary Banks missed a glorious opportunity from
inside the box when he looked certain to score, skipper Danny Jones had
an effort well blocked by Dave Whyte, Dan Lardner had a freekick tipped
onto the bar, and Jones headed over. Steve Healy headed the Social’s
best opportunity of the opening spell wide after a poor kick from Nathan
Taylor in the Rangers’ goal. The impressive Kris Beasley and Banks again
also had efforts which didn’t quite find the mark.
11 minutes had passed before Westbury had their first meaningful attack.
A corner was met by Paul Beavers who headed it on to Ross Parker who
headed it straight at the keeper Alex Coombs from close in.
Biddestone continued to press, playing some great football, with only
the odd break from Rangers. If it weren’t for some resolute defending,
Biddestone could’ve been out of sight within the first quarter of the
game.
It was on one of these rare breaks after 15 minutes that Rangers created
their best chance so far. A left wing cross from Pete Ayton was met by
Tim Coombs, but he could not get enough on it to cause Coombs in the
Social goal any worries.
Another spell of Biddestone pressure required some more brave defending
to deny Lardner a goal after 28 minutes, but the deserved breakthrough
finally came a minute later in stunning fashion. Nat Auckland picked the
ball up on the corner of the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive
which hit the stanchion in the opposite top corner.
Rather than stirring Rangers into life, the goal appeared to give
Biddestone even more of lift, and their tails were really up now. Just
after half an hour they should have done better when they had four
attackers to Westbury’s three defenders. And just a minute later they
had two penalty shouts turned down.
Westbury Rangers then enjoyed their best spell of the game so far. Marc
Lanfear went wide with a lob following a mis-kick from Coombs in
Biddestone’s goal, and Matty Smith headed wide from a Chris Storey
cross. Westbury had a penalty claim of their own turned down on 35
minutes, but it would’ve been a harsh one to give.
Westbury strained for an equalizer towards the end of the half, but only
had a weak Ayton free kick and a long range effort from Smith to show
for it.
The teams went in at half time with Shaun Gardiner needing to find some
inspirational words to raise his Westbury troops, and Lyons just needing
to ask for more of the same from his team.
Gardiner brought on Adie Chantry at the break for the tired-looking
Storey, and it appeared to immediately rejuvenate his team as they
showed much more urgency from kick off.
This urgency saw Smith hit a shot which was deflected straight into the
grateful arms of Coombs, and although Westbury were looking more potent,
Biddestone looked extremely menacing on the break and were still
creating the better chances.
Auckland should’ve doubled his tally on 47 minutes following a poor back
header from James Sweetman and Lardner hit a wonderful volley after 50
minutes which was unfortunately straight at Taylor.
After 55 minutes Biddestone had two great chances to go two up. First
Beasley, then Auckland failed to capitalise when through on the keeper.
Beasley dragged wide and Taylor stood up well when confronted by
Auckland.
Biddestone didn’t have to wait long though to double their lead. The
ball broke to Jamie Lyons on the hour at the edge of the box, he nipped
inside a defender and hit a right-footed shot inside Taylor’s near post
to spark wild celebrations.
Auckland could’ve put the game out of sight on 62 minutes when he was
put through by Beasley, but good defending by Sweetman saw him pushed
wide.
Just a minute later Westbury made a double substitution in an effort to
get back in the game. They brought on Mark Young and Nathan Hallett for
Lanfear and Ayton.
It was Biddestone in the form of Auckland who should’ve scored again
though, but he blasted over from 10 yards.
Westbury Rangers had the next two chances after 70 minutes. Young tried
to be too cute when he should have taken on the shot, and Tim Coombes
put a header from two yards wide of the target.
Biddestone made two changes on 80 minutes. Steve Healy and Dan Lardner
made way for the experienced pairing of John O’Meara and Gary Blackwood.
Westbury Rangers now pushed men forward and started to apply more
pressure. Coombs in the Biddestone goal was grateful to his defenders on
83 minutes when he dropped a steepling cross, but 2 minutes later
Westbury were back in it. Dave Whyte picked the ball up 25 yards out,
flicked it over a defender and volleyed it into the bottom left corner
to give his team a chance.
The last five minutes were frantic. Biddestone had a chance through
O’Meara, but his delicate chip was off target, and Westbury’s Young
headed straight at the keeper when he should’ve done better.
With Biddestone playing for time, Westbury pushed six up front and
desperately tried to get the ball forward. For all their pressing it
wasn’t to be, and man of the match Lyons had the best chance to put
things beyond doubt in added time, but he couldn’t finish.
Biddestone ran out 2-1 winners and captain Danny Jones accepted the
trophy from Charlie Rawlings a representative from sponsors reebrooks
print media.
The game was a credit to the league and both teams and all three match
officials played their part in making the event a memorable one.
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