Comment

WILTSHIRE SUNDAY CUP FINAL: Corsham Centre's quest to become the first side from the Chippenham & District Sunday League to lift the Wiltshire Sunday Cup for a second time ended in success at the weekend when they defeated Swindon League side New Century WMC at the home of Wootton Bassett FC.

Pete Ralph's outfit who won the cup in 2006 when they beat County Ground 2-0 were expected to face a tough challenge from their opponents who despite taking an early lead were second best throughout but the Centre were made to work hard for their 2-1 victory as numerous missed chances almost proved costly.

After a nervy start from both sides, it was the Centre who had the first shot at goal in the sixth minute when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area after Simon Grey had been brought down and the resulting free kick saw James Lye firing straight into the New Century wall. A minute later New Century took the lead in similar circumstances when Paddy Slattery curled home a fantastic free kick to give Century a 1-0 lead, after Matt Ralph had conceded a needless free kick on the edge of the area. .

On 15 minutes a good advantage from referee Michael Day saw Simon Gray play in James Lye, but he drove wide of the target when he should really have squared things up. Five minutes later The Centre's Craig Gingell blasted over from close range and moments later the same player was denied again when keeper Nigel Packer punched the ball of the midfielder's head.

Having fallen behind to an early goal, Corsham Centre began to take control of the game but were unable to fashion an equalizer and when Ross Lye's long range effort whizzed over the bar on the half hour mark it was looking as if they wouldn't score, shortly after New Century's defence was all at sea but they just managed to foil another Centre attack. On a rare New Century attack they were awarded a free kick after another clumsy challenge from Matt Ralph and form a similar position to where the scored their goal Paddy Slattery had a great chance to make it 2-0, but on this occasion his well struck free kick was turned around the post by a smart save from keeper Nick Gingell.

On 40 minutes more pressure from the Centre saw Liam Ralph pick out Craig Gingell who should have really hit the target from close range, the Centre were now over New Century like a rash but couldn't get on the score sheet and the were almost caught on the break when Chris Oake missed a golden opportunity to double his teams lead when he shot straight at keeper Nick Gingell. On the stroke of half time another Centre attack saw Shane Godsell curl his shot just wide of the upright from a defence splitting Simon Gray pass. With the half time whistle blown the Centre were left wondering what they had to do to make a breakthrough.

The second half continued as the first had finished with the Centre on top and New Century were lucky not to have Gareth Davies sent off in the 52 minute after a reckless challenge on Ben Moore, after a stern talking too from the referee he was given a yellow card, however in the same incident the Centre's Russell Gibbings also escaped a yellow card after an off the ball incident went unnoticed.

On 55 minutes the Centre wasted another free kick, this time after referee Day had penalised keeper Packer for holding onto the ball for too long, James Lye failed to get the ball through a crowded area. Two minutes later New Century broke clear and only an excellent save from keeper Nick Gingell denied Lee Stoddard, the ball rebounded to Adam Whitefield who blasted over with just the keeper to beat. Soon after Stoddard had another good chance to double his sides lead but again failed from close range. Having weathered a New Century's best spell of the game the Centre went straight back at their opponents with Simon Gray and Craig Gingell going close with Gray hitting the side netting on 66 minutes.

GOAL, at last the Centre managed to penetrate the New Century defence, an inch perfect corner from James Lye picked out the unmarked Ross Lye whose powerful header gave the Centre the equaliser that they more than deserved.

The Centre took the lead in the 76th minute, through James Lye whose 25-yard shot deflected off Gareth Davies over the despairing keeper Packer who tired in vain to keep the ball out. Soon after the Centre had an appeal for a penalty turned down when James went down under a challenge from Mark Webb. In an action packed final 10 minutes the game sprang into life as both teams looked for more goals, on 83 minutes the Centre's Simon Gray skipped past two defenders only to direct a weak shot at keeper Packer, soon after a error from keeper Packer saw him drop the ball to the feet of Craig Gingell who was unable to stab the ball home. Simon Gray had a one on one with Packer and the keeper won the battle as he turned Grey's shot wide of the target to keep New Century in the final.

New Century threw players forward in search of an equaliser and when the ball bounced up and hit James Lye on the hand they had a penalty appeal waved away, but their was still time for them to have another go at taking the match into extra time when Kevin Coles struck a 20 yard free kick over the wall but keeper Nick Gingell was able to pluck the ball out the air and send the Centre on another attack, but the ball came directly back and after the Centre had withstood a series corners deep into stoppage time referee Michael Day blew up for full time, much to the relief of the Centre and their travelling army of fans.

The Centre of old would have killed New Century off in the first half as they would have taken their chances, but even though they are a little out of sort they proved that they have the fighting spirit to turn things around and grind out a victory which was well deserved. The Centre's captain Craig Gingell received the Sunday Cup from Life Vice President Lt. Col. A.G.T Davies who also presented the memento's for the match to the players.

WG PARR TROPHY FINAL A healthy crowd of around 200 watched the all Division One final of the WG Parr Trophy between Coyote and Potterne at Corsham Town's Southbank ground and it was Chris Carr's Trowbridge based Coyote side who were playing in the competition for the very first time since they joined the league in 2003 that came out on top after they twice came from behind to register a 5-2 victory.

Potterne were quickest out of the blocks and should have taken the lead inside the first two minutes. Myles Hickton's free kick found strike partner Ben Giles six yards from goal but he volleyed wide when a shot on target would have been a certain goal. However, the miss wasn't crucial as Potterne snatched the lead within a minute. Giles' through ball was spilt by Coyote keeper Ashley Haines and Lee Sanders was on hand to tap in the loose ball.

The goal seemed to stir Coyote into life and they equalised on seven minutes. Tarick Yachou's corner found a completely unmarked Scott Askew who powerfully headed home from close range. A minute later, Hickton tested Haines with a curling free kick but the Coyote keeper showed safe hands diving to his left.

The height of Askew and the pace of partner Matt Minnis posed a constant threat to the Potterne defence throughout the half as Coyote started to dominate the game. On eleven minutes another Yachou free kick found Stuart Greener but his free header flashed wide. Within four minutes, Potterne keeper Mark Goddard had to act smartly to block Askew's shot as the big striker looked certain to put his side ahead.

Surprisingly, Potterne regained the lead on the half hour. Hickton's through ball found Giles free on goal and he made no mistake from 18 yards to make it 2-1. A minute before the break, Potterne nearly extended their lead when Wayne House's cross found Giles free but the striker's header was off target.

Possibly it was to try and eliminate the threat of Askew but Potterne switched Jamie Bayes from a forward role to a centre half in the second period. The opening exchanges were fairly even with Haines saving Giles' shot within a minute of the restart and Askew firing over at the other end. Askew continued to cause endless problems to the Potterne defence and on the hour he headed another precision corner from Yachou over the bar.

Coyote squared the game at 2-2 two minutes later. The busy Nathan Flower chipped back into the Potterne penalty area and Askew stole in front of Goddard to head home from eight yards. With 20 minutes left Askew saw another header kicked off the Potterne line. Coyote were not be denied as on 75 minutes, Flower swung a corner in to the front post and Goddard, under pressure from Askew, missed his punch to allow the ball to drift into the far corner to make it 3-2 to the Trowbridge side. Askew completed a deserved hat trick a minute later when again he was left un marked to gleefully head home Flower's corner to make it 4-2.

Although Potterne desperately sought a way back into the game, chances were few and far between and the threat of the normally prolific Hickton was repeatedly snubbed out by the commanding Darren Jones. Nevertheless with four minutes left, Bayes swung a deep free kick into the Coyote box that was nodded back by Giles and Hickton's close range effort was acrobatically saved by Haines.

With time running out, Coyote cemented a deserved win with a fifth goal when Minnis stole in to intercept Bayes' header back to his keeper and guide the ball the past a stranded Goddard. With seconds left, Jason Povey set up Minnis again but this time, Goddard saved well.

Winning captain Nathan Flower collected the WG Parr Trophy from the competitions sponsor Mr Ken Clarke of Chippenham based Westernsport Trophies. Flower to the surprise of most of those watching also picked up the player of the match award that many people thought should have gone to either Coyote's Darren Jones, Daniel Shanley of three goal hero Scott Askew. Flower received his award from Ken Clarke.

10:08am Monday 14th April 2008

Print

Email this

Comment