Review of cup games played in week commencing 5/04.

On Thursday night at the Park Rd Stadium the home of Cheadle Town, Mountfield Rovers in their first season and already through to the H. English Final created league history by becoming the first team to feature in both league finals by beating Stockport Vikings in the P.Bailey/G.Wright Memorial trophy.

On a wet, cold night both teams just got on with creating an end to end cup tie. Vikings keeper Mike White was brought into action making a good save from Ethan Robson’s goal bound shot. Inspired by that at the other end, Dylan Molony found the back of the Mountfield net with a well- placed low shot. It took Mountfield a while to get their passes together but slowly they got into the game. In conditions that most keepers find uncomfortable, the slippery ball and bounce caused Vikings keeper a hero a few moments earlier, allowed a shot from Lucas Berry to slip out of his hands for the equaliser. Vikings then had to do some stout defending only the whistle for offside denied Daniel Kelly a goal. A Dan Street shot was deflected away from goal and Harvey Evans had a shot cleared off the line. Surviving all that Vikings two minutes into the second half took the lead once again, a cross from the left by Kaniel Henry dropped nicely for Matty Jepson to score with a sweetly hit volley. Henry then could have got on the scoresheet but shot wide from a good position. That proved costly Berry equalised with his second goal ten minutes from time. Ollie McFadyen cut in from the left and gave White no chance with his shot. Then with virtually the last kick of the game Lucas completed his hat trick from the spot. That now leaves the committee with a dilemma.

They are now waiting for the winners of this Thursday’s semi-final between Bramhall Ath and Railway FC.

Waiting for them in the H.English final are holders Offerton Green who with a performance where every player would get at least nine out of ten for their performances, beat the Premier champions Newall Green. They had played their Qtr final game on Thursday beating Northenden Town 3-1. They all their goals in the first half Luke Butler(20 and Kris Fawcett the scorers. Northenden missed a first half penalty, but their goal was the best of the game. Going back to the semi-final Offy were on the front foot from the first whistle a cross into Newall’s area from Aiden Dwyer saw Solomon Wickstead sliced his attempted clearance just wide of the post. At the other end Kayle Power put his shot wide of the goal. Offy, now under a bit of pressure were relieved to see Louis Brown go close with his effort. Midway through the first half Offy took the lead. Kris Fawcett from just outside the area curled his free kick around the defensive wall leaving keeper Jack O’Niel flatfooted and give Offy the lead. Newall, pushed forward looking for the equaliser only for Richie Torkington with a great save to his left denying him. O’Niel then showed his skill at full stretch keeping out a Johnny Hurst goal bound shot. Newall made three changes at half time after surviving a chance missed by Tyrone Turner who put his close range header wide of their goal. Newall put the Offy defence under a lot of pressure, shots were blocked as they put their bodies on the line at no time did they lose their defensive qualities or composure. It was rewarded when Fawcett once again showed his free kick prowess, from fully thirty five yard out he bulged the net with an unstoppable shot. To put the icing on the cake, Aiden Dwyer, crowned his none stop performance with a last minute goal.

The appearance of Mountfield in both finals is causing the committee a bit of a dilemma. Over the past few seasons the league as had the run of Stockport County’s ground for a double billing, the PB/G.W final in the morning and the H. English in the afternoon.

When you hear the professional players complaining about having to play games every three days I don’t think it would be fair to ask Mountfield to play twice in THREE HOURS. I am sure it will get sorted out.

Unfortunately it is likely that one final will have to be played away from EP.

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This report contains the words, thoughts and opinions of Keith Coates and not necessarily those of the SDSFL.