01/05/2015 St Georges
Park – Burton upon Trent Kick Off
– 10am
Newcastle under Lyme
6th 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 3rd of the game, and
Newcastle’s 4th 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.
