FC Colerne book final spot (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

FC Colerne book final spot

10:44am Monday 5th March 2007 in Football By Gazette Sport Reporter

FC Colerne booked their place in the Westernsport Trophies-sponsored WG Parr Trophy final after they overcame an early setback to beat First Division rivals Kingfisher 5-2.

Colerne, who won the competition in 2002, fell behind to a Nick Still goal, which was created, by excellent work from Luke Stoneham and Marcus Young.

Brian Doyle equalised for Colerne and Jamie Bowler put them in front after 30 minutes with a glorious 25 yard curling effort - this after Colerne had lost Kelvin Wells who suffered a broken nose after a collision with team-mate Sam Puckett five minutes earlier.

Dave Roderick increased Colerne's lead two minutes before half-time when he crashed home a 25 yard free kick.

The first half had been dominated by Colerne and if Kingfisher were to have any hope of getting back into the game they knew that they would have to strike first in the second half which they did after Paul Maddox set up Luke Stoneham whose brilliant finish cut the gap to one goal.

With Kingfisher starting to get the upper hand they were unlucky not to level things when Maddox hit a post. Jamie Bowler put Colerne back in charge at 4-2 when his simple tap-in restored their two goal cushion and with five minutes remaining Colerne were awarded a controversial penalty when Charlie Spirrell had been adjudged to have been brought down with what looked to be a perfectly timed challenge, until the assistant referee flagged for a foul.

The spot kick was converted by Spirrell to seal his team's 5-2 success.

The incident led to Adam Smith being sent off for having too much to say to the referee's assistant and on the stroke of full time Kingfisher were reduced to nine men after Marcus Young was shown a second yellow card.

Although the game ended on low note, Colerne were well worth their win and will play either Pig and Whistle United or Little George FC in April's final.