NULC Win Staffordshire FA Recreational League Cup Final

01/05/2015 St Georges Park – Burton upon Trent Kick Off – 10am

Newcastle under Lyme 6^th Team vs Staffordshire University (Stoke Campus)

Staffordshire FA Recreational League Cup Final

Newcastle started the game with a 4-4-2 formation. Both sides started confidently trying to find areas of weakness that could be exploited.

It was Newcastle who took the lead after 15 minutes as Alex Holland played a through ball to Sam Bell who finished the move off clinically by placing the ball over the outrushing goalkeeper and into the top corner. 1-0 Newcastle.

Staffs responded well and tested Newcastle goalkeeper Dan Mayer through a tough 10 minute period but the agile keeper kept his nerve and steadied the ship along with some confident defending from Jack Millington and Ben Colclough. However, before the break the Staffs pressure meant they managed to pull a goal back after a well-structured period of play. After 45 minutes the scores were 1-1.

The Newcastle team regrouped and focused on challenging the university side for the cup during the 15 minute break and striker Zakk Hadgett was introduced along with central midfielder Louis Downs. The first 15 minutes of the half tested the resolve of the NULC team and through a fortunate break down the left side of the area Staffordshire University’s dangerous left midfielder calmly slotted the ball underneath substitute goalkeeper Josh Hunt. 1-2 Staffs.

Captain for the day Jacob Tomlins rallied the Newcastle troops who showed an immediate response coming close on 2 occasions but without no success thank to some excellent defending and goalkeeping from the ever more confident Staffordshire University team.

After 60 minutes however, they were unable to deal with a vicious strike from the edge of the area from Sam Bell who grabbed his second, 2-2. The confidence in the Newcastle team was now obvious to all spectators and the Staffs team were given no time on the ball and were pressed each time Newcastle gained possession.

The hard work paid off on 70 minutes when Louis Downs placed in a rebounded effort that wasn’t dealt with to regain the lead, 3-2. More Newcastle substitutions were introduced to help strengthen the prospect of bringing home the trophy and after Sam Bell grabbed his 3^rd  of the game, and Newcastle’s 4^th it was becoming more likely to be the case after the final whistle. Alex Holland again playing in an inch perfect delivery for Sam to expertly volley the ball past the Staffs Uni goalkeeper.

As the final minutes of the game were played out Newcastle looked to keep the ball and comfortably see out the game, an ambitious effort from the Staffs forward line was quickly thwarted by Matthew Sherratt and the loose ball was pounced upon by Louis Downs who played a long ball into the path of the Sam Bell who managed to bundle the ball to Jordan Kelly. The striker needed no encouragement into unleashing a cool finish to make the score 5-2.

At the final whistle the celebrations began on and off the pitch before the trophy was presented. Some well-deserved silverware for the football academy, and recognition for the excellent effort made by all players.