Thrilling cup finals are full of goals
Last updated 12:36, Saturday, 03 May 2008
U-10 Blenkinship Trophy Final: Langwathby 0 Kingstown Utd 2: Kingstown ran out 2-0 winners against Langwathby in a fast-paced game that set the tone for the whole of Cup Finals Day. Carl Jessamine and Kyle Airey were the two goalscorers.
Kingstown made a great start start to a cup final with an early goal. Captain Carl Jessamine drove in a low free kick from the edge of the area into the bottom corner to put his side ahead. Meanwhile, Lewis Jandera had a low shot go just wide, and Kingstown threatened to score another from a corner.
Kyle Airey nipped in to steal the ball from Langwathby ‘keeper Adam Berry’s grasp, before putting the ball safely in the net, to double Kingstown’s advantage.
Langwathby had a few decent chances to score throughout the half, but they failed to hit the target each time. Louis Moore had a decent chance to get Kingstown’s third, but he miskicked the ball over the bar, and ‘keeper Lee Jessamine was kept busy by Langwathby. Airey had another chance to score, but Berry dived lowed to save.
The second half began in a similar manner to the first. Kingstown hit the bar and Berry was called on to save several times for Langwathby. The latter had a resurgence as the second half progressed, and he looked threatening. They were unlucky not to pull a goal back, while Kingstown were happy to sit back and defend their lead.
Kingstown got more and more into the game, and despite battling for every ball right until the end, Langwathby couldn’t find a way back into the game. The whole Kingstown team were the Men of the Match for the victors, while Langwathby’s Brendan Evans had a great game in midfield was Langwathby’s best player.
Under-10s League Cup Final: Penrith Utd Reds 4 Keswick 0
League champions Penrith Utd Reds defeated runners up Keswick 4-0 at Penrith FC’s World Group Stadium to lift the Under-10s trophy. Two goals from Brandon Robertson and one each for Jack Overs and Sam Hankin made the difference.
The first five minutes were end-to-end and both teams looked capable of scoring the first goal. Keswick’s Charlie Robson had a shot skim the top of the crossbar in the first real chance of the game. However, Robson was the victim of a hard tackle several minutes later, and was substituted. The match lost some of its tempo after this incident, and both sets of players ensured defending was a top priority. The score remained 0-0 at half time.
Some of the energy that was lost by the end of the first half returned for the second. Brandon Robertson charged through Keswick’s defence, only to hit the ball high and wide. But it was Penrith who did take the lead several minutes later when defender Jack Overs’ low drive squirmed through ‘keeper Tom Muir’s legs.
The league winners were two up soon after, with Brandon Robertson scoring. His shot from distance flew in past Muir, putting Penrith in a very commanding position. Robertson had another effort saved by Muir, before Keswick began to pick themselves up. The game was evenly matched once more as Keswick searched for a way back into the game.
However, Robertson put the game to rest with a third goal scored from inside the area, just after coming close with a shot following a mazy dribble past four Keswick defenders.
Keswick never gave up and pressured Penrith all the way up to the final whistle, but Penrith rubbed salt on the wound with a fourth goal from Sam Hankin. Penrith were deserved winners on the day, but credit must be due to Keswick for persevering to the bitter end. Matthew Kolek was Penrith’s MoM, Alfie West was Keswick’s.
Under-12s Cup Final: Castletown Blues 4 Penrith Utd Reds 0
Castletown Blues wore down Penrith Utd Reds gradually over the course of a hard fought game to win an ultimately comfortable 4-0 victory. However, it was a hugely hard fought game, won and lost in midfield.
Blues had the better chances of the two sides, but neither was able to play flowing football. The game was played in midfield almost completely, and both teams fought for every ball, possession swapping between the two repeatedly.
Castletown’s Peter Cragg put his side ahead as half- time approached, breaking the deadlock by stealing the ball within the Penrith penalty area and beating ‘keeper Dave Airey. The score remained 1-0 at half time.
Penrith had a good start to the second half. An early period of pressure from them almost led to a goal. Castletown ‘keeper Tom Grisedale was on great form however, and saved several efforts from Penrith.
Castletown regained their composure, and in a frantic goalmouth scramble came inches to increasing their lead on several occasions. However, Penrith still looked more likely to score as the second half progressed.
But it was Castletown who got the next goal. Ben Dixon broke through the Penrith lines, rounded the ‘keeper and avoided a last-ditch challenge to put the ball in the back of the net. Penrith applied massive pressure to attempt to drag themselves back into the game, but the nature of the match made a swift reaction difficult.
Castletown also upped their defensive efforts accordingly, and a good counter attack from them allowed Sam Dudson to head home a third and put an end to Penrith’s hopes.
Penrith fought to the end, as they had throughout the whole game but they lacked the final ball. Castletown were excellent at getting men behind the ball when defending, but counter attacking when the chance came. This was the case with their fourth and final goal when captain Antony Bailey break through Penrith’s lines and placed the ball firmly into the bottom right corner to round off a good cup final victory. Ben Dixon was Castletown’s man of the match, while JJ Key was Penrith’s.
Under-14s Cup Final: Penrith Utd Whites 0 Upperby Park 5
League champions Upperby Park added the Robert Irving Cup for 2008 with a confident victory over Penrith Utd Whites. Mark Malloy and Jordie Cowley scored twice each, with Dean Crozier also getting on the scoresheet.
The Carlisle side started brilliantly with Jordie Cowley scoring to put his team ahead. Upperby continued to be the stronger side throughout the early stages. Cowley and forward Mark Malloy were looking particularly dangerous.
And it was Malloy who snuck in to beat Penrith ‘keeper Daniel Bond to the ball and poke it home, putting Upperby two up.
As the game progressed, Penrith found their feet and were able to take the fight to Upperby. Park’s ‘keeper Danny Baugh showed his eccentric side on several occasions, first coming out of his box to header the ball clear, and secondly racing out to challenge with his feet, successfully.
At the other end, Penrith shotstopper Daniel Bond was forced to backpedal swiftly to punch an attempted lob over the crossbar. He showed safe hands several more times throughout the game.
Penrith ended the first half better than they started it. Upperby were strong throughout but it took Penrith a little time to get going.
The second half began in a very even fashion. The first few minutes of play were contested almost exclusively in Upperby’s half, Penrith having a good early spell. The first proper chance of the second half went to the leaders when Mark Malloy fired a shot wide.
Despite this good start for Penrith, the score was soon 3-0, with Jordie Cowley getting his second. The strong midfielder received the ball in the box, turned, and fired the ball into the bottom corner. Minutes later, Malloy beat the offside trap leaving him one-on-one with Bond between the Penrith sticks. The ‘keeper saved Malloy’s effort, but the ball fell to Dean Crozier who took his chance well. Malloy almost added a fifth soon after, with a shot that shaved the crossbar.
As the final drew to a close, Penrith came agonisingly close to a well-deserved consolation goal on several occasions – Jamie Watson had a header that struck the upright and bounced away, while Scott Lancaster hit a good opportunity from the edge of the box over the bar.
Mark Malloy got his second and his team’s fifth with a goal in the last few minutes. His delightful chip left the final score 5-0.
Upperby’s performance was as confident as ever, and they go into the League Cup Final in two weeks with a 100% record to defend and a possible treble to fight for.
Penrith gave an admirable performance, never looking beaten throughout the whole game. Jordie Cowley was man of the match for Upperby, midfielder Jobert Fermilan and ‘keeper Daniel Bond for Penrith.
