Monday 28th
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 2nd 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 4th official had signalled 3 minutes
remaining, and we and all the supporters settled in for the next stage, extra
time. The 4th 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.
