Eric Hughes Memorial KO Cup - 2009/2010 Sponsored by Reebrooks Print Media 

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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