Staffordshire Floodlit Cup Final

Monday 28^th April 2014

Venue: Stafford Rangers 7.30 KO

 

Wolverhampton Casuals FC 1 V 2 Newcastle Town College Team

 

Team News

Ryan Wintle and Robson Healy both declared not fit and Dave Jones still awaiting international clearing.

Squad

1)      Joe Mellor

2)       Jake Stanbridge,

3)      Cal Lovatt

4)      Harvey Collins

5)      Stu Dicken

6)      Olly Kataya

7)      Kev Davies

8)      Alex Cambell

9)      Cal Kenny

10)   Josh Rhodes (Capt)

11)   Jake Lloyd

12)   John Ngindu

13)   Luke Humphries

14)   Louis Downes

15)   Zach Robinson

16)   Evans Ofori

 

The game Kicked Off and NULC made a good positive start to the game in the initial stages, however after an edgy/nervous start from both teams the game appeared very well balanced.  Both teams played in a similar formation (4.5.1) which appeared to cancel each other out. Most of the game was being battled out in the middle of the park with no one really carving out a goal scoring opportunity either end.  However on 14mins Casuals forced a corner.  The delivery was poor and Josh Rhodes should have cleared but missed the ball completely, the ball hit the Casuals No 9, before anyone had realised it, it was in the back of our net, not the best start to a final!

The game carried on where it had left off before the goal and both teams continued to battle it out in midfield and there was not much football being played, both teams appeared to be frightened of making a mistake.  Half time came 1 V 0 to The Casuals.

 

NULC were asked to try and play, to get the ball down and pass, and when the 2^nd half got underway NULC started to impose themselves more on the game.  NULC were having most of the possession as Casuals chose to sit deeper and deeper. Casuals were organised and well versed and although NULC had 70% possession they were finding it hard to create any sort of an opening to score.

The eventual break came from some quick thinking from Jake Stanbridge (yes I repeat some quick thinking from Jake Stanbridge!!) he took a quick throw in, that found the end of a good run by Kev Davies.  Kev could have shot himself but instead chose to cross and try to find Jake Lloyd unmarked as he entered the penalty area, as the defender attempted to get back he clinically put the ball in his own net.  1 v 1 and 25 mins to go.

 

At last this gave NULC belief that they could win this game and everyone appeared to raise the game that little bit more. But as Casuals continued to defend well it was difficult to see where the next goal was going to come from.  The only time Casuals looked dangerous was on free kicks, which NULC were giving away in their frustration.  But good defending from NULC prevented Casuals from conjuring up any direct threat on Joe Mellor’s Goal.

 

Time for change and NULC bought on two forwards, John Ngindu and Evans Ofori with 20 minutes remaining.  Now it really was one way traffic and surely only a matter of time before NULC scored again.  And although the substitutions made a positive impact, resulting in some half chances for NULC, again Casuals stood firm and the longer the game went on, NULC were more in danger of conceding from a set piece or a break away.

The 4^th official had signalled 3 minutes remaining, and we and all the supporters settled in for the next stage, extra time.  The 4^th official then confirmed that there would be 5mins of injury time and the game continued. As we started to prepare for Extra time a direct ball was played forward by Kev Davies, trying to find the pace of Evans Ofori, however it appeared to be over hit and the Casuals Goal Keeper looked favourite to come out to collect the ball.  However Evans showed a real turn of pace and determination to get between the Goal Keeper and Casuals last defender and somehow managed to direct the ball past the keeper, it seemed to take an eternity to cross the line. But it did finally arrive in the back of the net.

The place went ballistic and celebrations ensued, castle felt that they had got their hands on the cup at last.

There was about 20seconds to go and play resumed, casuals played the ball aimlessly up front, right on the head on Cal Lovatt, Cal just had to clear and the game was won, however Joe Mellor seemingly called for the ball and Cal, caught in 2 minds, attempted to head the ball back to him, it caught everyone by surprise, including Casuals striker, who for the first time in the game had a clear chance on goal – Joe Mellor pulled off a fabulous save, to maintain the lead, but the ball was still in play. Casuals could smell blood and NULC could not clear the ball, Harvey Collins lunged in twice to try to clear and when he finally did get the ball his clearance again fell to the feet of the oncoming Casuals winger, his cross was a good one, but Stu Dicken was there to head clear and when Cal Lovatt finally cleared the ball up field, it was over and the Ref blew for full time.

 

‘Few what a way to win a final!!!!!  Now I know why I am so grey’.

NULC had done it, they had won the CUP for Town and College and at last had something to show for all of their efforts and hard work over the whole of the season.

Well done to everyone involved, it was a great result and well deserved.  And thanks to Wolverhampton Casuals for the fight they put up, the game could have gone either way.