Big Kev
Football Legend
Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 1181
Location: Cosmic Lodge
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 Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject: SHAMMIES RES. V STEETON RES. - CUP FINAL MATCH REPORT |
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Keighley & District F.A. Supplementary Cup Final
Keighley Shamrocks Reserves 1 Steeton A.F.C. Reserves 3
Steeton put the first silverware on the table, at the double, having overcome Shammies with an excellent second half display to secure the Supplementary Cup and during the course of the match learn that neighbours Bronte Wanderers had drawn at home to Ovenden, to deprive them of the points they needed to prevent the Summerhill Lane side clinching the County Amateur Reserve league championship.
But the game was never going to be an easy one, and it was Shammies who started the brighter of the two sides, utilising their clear height advantage in moving the ball forward on the bumpy Cougar Park surface. Indeed they almost opened the scoring on 9 minutes when the impressive Ryan Hook rose unopposed to head a cross from the left goalwards, but the ball struck the foot of the post and came out with keeper Paul Linyard stranded. Shammies were breaking at pace now, as Steeton struggled to get into gear and on 16 minutes they got their noses in front. An innocuous ball down the middle found defender Marc Sennett stretching to prevent the ball reaching an onrushing Shammies forward and his touch diverted the ball up and over Linyard into his own goal, to make it 1-0 to Shammies. Steeton were on the back foot and were finding it difficult to cope with Shammies’ formation, particularly in midfield and Hook was pulling the strings in midfield, off the front two. When Steeton did raise their tempo though, they did look dangerous and should have levelled the scores on 32 minutes, when an excellent ball from Sennett was threaded between fullback and centre half, picking out Tom Woodward’s great run. He got to the bye-line and drilled his low cross into the 6 yard box, only to see Colin Horsfield contrive to miss, slamming his shot against the underside of the bar. But generally Shammies had the upper hand during the half, battling for everything, with Adam Ackroyd looking dominant at the back, and Steeton struggling to raise their tempo consistently and produce cohesive passing moves.
After some serious soul searching at half time, Steeton came out a different side in the second period, utilising the width and producing some good link up play. Crucially after 55 minutes Steeton got back on terms. Linyard’s punt forward was expertly headed on by left back Dave McManus, to Nicky McNally on the left hand side. He ran at the Shammies defence and fed his pass right, to Nicky Trowers breaking through from midfield. He duly controlled and drilled his right foot shot low into the far corner to make it 1-1. Steeton looked to have gained control of the game, but on one of Shammies rare sorties up field, a long ball was played deep into the Steeton box and as Linyard came, he missed his punch, and a Shammies forward headed into goal amidst great celebration, only to be controversially halted by the linesman’s flag and the goal was disallowed for offside on 65 minutes. A minute later in a rapier-like attack, substitute Aaron Hollindrake broke clear deep in the Shammies box and in on goal, but spurned his opportunity, firing wide at the near post when he probably should have done better. Then the tables were turned, as after a period of sustained Steeton pressure, Nicky Trowers fired home after a scramble in the Shammies box, but the referee disallowed the goal, harshly giving a foul for the collision between Woodward and keeper Steve Duff. But a minute later Steeton were not to be denied, as they piled on the pressure and superior fitness started to take its toll, Hollindrake collected and turned and made an incisive run before despatching his pass to McNally he swivelled and shot, which was bravely blocked, but the ball came out to Woodward, who fired his shot up and beyond Duff to put Steeton 2-1 up. Then on 77 minutes Hollindrake collected and cleverly turned his man from a throw in on the right from Sennett. He passed to McNally with his back to goal. He spun and turned before firing his right foot shot, low into the far corner to clinch the victory at 3-1. But the game wasn’t over and a minute later Shammies goal was under siege again. As the ball was cleared to the edge of the box, only to find Woodward, he fired his shot in, arrowing into the top right hand corner, but Duff produced a brilliant flying save to tip over, when a further goal looked certain. Shammies did look dangerous on the break, still leaving men up front and looking to find them with the long ball, but the Steeton defence held firm, also with Rick Hall breaking up play in the middle of the park and protecting the back line. Then with 2 minutes to go, the ball was passed forward to the pacey McNally who beat his man on the left, broke into the box, cut inside and rounded the keeper, before expertly finishing into the empty net from 6 yards out, but once again the linesman’s flag went up and the goal was disallowed for offside. But that was the last meaningful action, as the final whistle blew to signal the end of the game and the Steeton side celebrated and savoured their “double” victory.
Team: Linyard, Sennett (Rooke), Wellock (capt.), Boyle, McManus, Woodward (77), Hall, Trowers (Nicky) (55), McNally (66), Horsfield (Hollindrake), Fothergill. Subs: Nykoniw, Turner & Smith (D) (not used)
As Clarkie has said in an earlier post, a tremendous 2nd half effort, once again showing grit, determination and character, along with that quality that we have in the final third, to secure victory in a tough game for us. And the bonus of Bronte's draw enabling us to pick up the the league title as well, what a night!
Just desserts for all the hard work put in by all the players throughout the season both on match days and on the training ground. 
It's cost me my 'tash, but hey, it's worth it.  I suppose I can always buy it back on ebay! (thanks Cranners). Oh no, not another tooth pick! 
Brilliant boys, just brilliant. Psst, don't mention the "T" word in front of Clarkie! 
_________________
"If I'd have seen it, I'd have saved it!"
"Look there's absolutely NO point in me diving about trying to save the ball when there's a net there behind me to stop it!"
"Them Teflon coated gloves ain't doing owt for my game!" |
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