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Tuesday 7th September 2010
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Matches played Saturday 5th April 2008
Kingburn head their way into Senior Final with Crown
The opening minute of the League Senior Cup semi final at Springhead Lane between Pinefleet Wolfreton Reserves and Kingburn Athletic produced an explosive start which saw Pinefleet instantly grab the lead after Kingburn keeper Ben Hamilton did his level best to keep out a dipping shot, and succeeded in tipping the ball onto the crossbar from where it fell back in the field of play to a defender who was under pressure and whose attempt to head the ball outside the post for a corner was misdirected and he was horrified to see the ball nestle instead in the back of the net.
Not the start Pinefleet expected but their good fortune had provided a welcome boost to their bid to appear in their third successive Senior Cup Final, and as both sides reasonably got to grips with blustery conditions, the game settled into a midfield contest and both keepers were relatively unemployed for the remainder of the half as defences remained on top.
The first action of the second half produced a different scenario to the first, but no less explosive as almost instantly Kingburn were awarded a penalty for a handling offence and up stepped confident penalty taker Kamen Edwards, to thrash the ball into the net.
As the weather fluctuated from brilliant sunshine to hailstone showers, both sides struggled to adjust to the conditions, but in a five minute spell Pinefleet suddenly opened up a two goal lead when first Graham Waudby scored from a through ball, and shortly afterwards Matty Ellerington strode through the Kingburn defence before slotting the ball home from 12 yards, directing the ball wide of the advancing Hamilton, and in off the post.
The taller Kingburn side responded with an aerial bombardment and put the Pinefleet defence under tremendous pressure, but were thwarted by twice hitting the bar.
Kingburn were dominating in the air and lanky Matt Lucid scored after 75 minutes from one of the several corners they forced, the kick on this occasion being swung over with precision.
Pinefleet were being forced further and further back and it came as no surprise, when, from another corner Peter Welton headed home with five minutes remaining, to take the game into extra time.
Pinefleet had first use of the elements in the additional period, and produced a few half chances but Ben Hamilton in the Kingburn goal was not really tested.
Kingburn took the lead for the first time in the game after 110 minutes when a throw by Pinefleet keeper Gary Davies was intercepted and from the ensuing cross a Pinefleet defender had the misfortune to deflect the ball into his own net.
With the clock running down, Pinefleet had to throw caution to the wind to seek an equaliser and were caught on the break and a cross to the far post was headed home by Lee Mason to seal Kingburn’s comeback, and a date in the final against Crown FC who are looking to retain the trophy, after reaching the final with a solid win over Inter Charter.
Crown started the brighter in their semi final tie and showed a greater desire than Charter and deservedly took the lead when a half clearance was fired on the volley over stranded keeper Mike Draper, and into the net.
Although playing second fiddle to Crown, Charter hit the crossbar but still trailed at the interval.
A better second half performance saw Charter hitting the post and forcing three good saves from Crown keeper Rich Davy, but a defensive error then gifted Crown a second goal.
With the match drifting away, Charter had to push forward in a make or break final thrust to create a way back into the game, but succumbed to the almost inevitable, conceding a third goal as Crown launched a counter attack.
Although disappointed to have failed at this hurdle, Charter were magnanimous enough to accept that, on the day, the better (and slightly more experienced) team deserved the win.
With the Cup interrupting league fixtures, only one Premier Division game was possible but Truss 2 Frame were doubtless grateful to be in action as they returned to winning ways against AFC Preston – after at first looking comfortable – and then hanging on!!
Mike Newdick returned to the Truss line up after a four-week absence and marked his return with a goal, and was involved in setting up Jamie Marshall for two further goals and a fourth goal was added by Duane Grantley, and with twenty minutes remaining the result looked a foregone conclusion at 4-1.
The Truss manager took the opportunity to employ more of his squad members and introduced two substitutes, causing a team reshuffle, and the move almost proved an embarrassment as Preston roared back and scored two goals in reply and continued to press right to the final whistle but Truss hung on leaving manager Nigel Taylor mightily relieved to hear the final whistle.
The destiny of the Division 1 title could well have been settled if the outcome of the clash of AFC West Hull and Kingburn Athletic 2nd had gone the way of West Hull, and West Hull set off by launching wave after wave of attacks and did everything but score but this failing allowed Kingburn to keep their own title aspirations alive.
Kingburn then hit Wests with a sucker punch with a rare foray into the opposition half and some neat play through the middle saw Nick Holmes give Kingburn a possibly fortuitous interval lead.
The second half saw Wests dictate much of the game, but failed to break down Kingburn’s resolute defence until awarded a dubious penalty which leading goalscorer Mike Neylon tucked away to level the scores.
Wests almost went in front but Scott Wakelin’s effort was ruled to be offside, and Kingburn then regained the lead when awarded a free kick which sailed over to Ian Thomson who helped the ball into the back of the net.
Wests pushed even harder to rescue the game, but found Kingburn’s well-organised defence impossible to break down.
Cottingham Hotspur 2nd, although well positioned in Division 2, can no longer win the title, but can influence the eventual outcome in their remaining games, but found their numbers stretched for the game against AFC Piper.
The outcome was that a well-organised Piper side achieved a deserved win by a handsome 4-0 margin.
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Match Reports
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24th April 2010
17th April 2010
10th April 2010
3rd April 2010
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