Winsford United Win The League Challenge Cup
Wed 11th May 2011 | Macron Cup | By Ian Templeman
A 74th minute goal from Winsford United full back Lee Duckworth earned his side a 1-0 win over New Mills in the final of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup.
In a close fought encounter at the Tameside Stadium, Duckworth fired in a free kick from the right wing that went through a ruck of players and crept in at the far post to deny the Millers a league and cup double.
In a close fought encounter at the Tameside Stadium, Duckworth fired in a free kick from the right wing that went through a ruck of players and crept in at the far post, to clinch victory for his side.
New Mills went into the game looking to clinch a league and cup double, and they had the better of the early exchanges, creating three openings inside the first 15 minutes.
A Dave Swarbrick cross aimed at Daniel Douglas-Pringle lurking at the far post was headed behind by Winsford's Adam Foy on 5 minutes, and after Carlos Meakin fired a 30 yard free kick wide of the post, Harry Noon shrugged off a challenge and missed the target by a yard from the edge of the penalty area.
At the midway point of the first half, Winsford hit back with two chances in the space of a minute. A header from Michael Brandon just over the bar was followed closely by a Liam Newman shot just wide from the edge of the box. Newman almost capitalised on a mix up between New Mills centre half Tony Barras and keeper Ben Proctor two minutes later, but the ball was eventually scrambled clear.
The best effort of the first half, however, arrived just before the half hour when a cracking 30 yard drive from Winsford centre half Adam Bayley rebounded off the crossbar, as Proctor in the New Mills goal looked on.
After the break New Mills again began well, and Tony Barras was unlucky when he evaded his marker and got on the end of a Carl Carey corner kick, but his header just missed the target.
Winsford hit back and nearly got lucky when a cross-cum-shot from skipper Lee Jones landed in the path of Matthew Ward, and his scuffed shot was gathered by Proctor at the second attempt.
Liam Newman's pace and power was beginning to cause problems for the New Mills defence, and after winning a tussle with Luke Horrocks wide on the right flank, Newman fired a low cross into the six yard box that just failed to find the outstretched boot of strike partner Michael Brandon.
With 17 minutes remaining, a fine sweeping move involving Matthew Ward and Josh Mainwaring set up a shooting opportunity for Newman that was deflected into the path of Brandon, who also saw his shot blocked.
But a minute later the deadlock was finally broken. New Mills full back Luke Horrocks was booked for a challenge on Mainwaring near the right hand touchline, almost level with the edge of the penalty area, and from the resulting free kick Lee Duckworth drove the ball into the six yard box where it evaded attackers and defenders alike before creeping in to the net just inside the far post.
New Mills responded and Douglas-Pringle was unlucky when he outpaced the Winsford defence to collect a through ball, but his shot was deflected into the side netting for a corner kick off the outstretched leg of a Winsford defender.
As the game moved into the closing stages, play swung from end to end but New Mills' chances were hampered with five minutes remaining when Luke Horrocks received his second yellow card of the evening for throwing the ball at a Winsford defender.
The three minutes of added time produced arguably the best three chances of the game. As New Mills threw men forward, a long ball was headed into the path of the lively Douglas-Pringle, who raced in on goal but was denied by a great blocking tackle.
A minute later New Mills won a corner and keeper Ben Proctor joined his team mates in the penalty area, but as the corner was cleared the ensuing rush up field saw Matthew Ward attempt to play Liam Newman in on goal for what would have been a great chance, but the striker was flagged offside.
There was still time for one more Winsford chance after a New Mills attack broke down. Michael Brandon took advantage of time and space on the left, and after rounding the advancing keeper Proctor he rolled the ball into the path of Newman, but although the Winsford striker appeared to be checked by a New Mills defender, the referee waved play on before bringing the game to end moments later.
Winsford United: Richie Mottram, Adam Foy, Lee Duckworth, Colin McAllister, Adam Bayley, Michael Ellison, Josh Mainwaring (Ryan Stewart 76), Lee Jones (captain), Michael Brandon, Liam Newman, Matthew Ward. Subs not used - Lee Thompson, Sam Tomkinson, Alex Burns, Shaun Came.
Goal - Lee Duckworth (74)
Booked - Matthew Ward (16), Colin McAllister (53)
New Mills: Ben Proctor, Mike Bowler, Luke Horrocks, Nick Swirad, Tony Barras, Carl Carey, Carlos Meakin (captain), Steven Pickford, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Harry Noon (Liam Coyne 80), Dave Swarbrick. Subs not used - Chris Hirst, Richard Rowe, Luke Podmore, Dominic Ingram-Hughes.
Sent Off - Luke Horrocks (two bookings 73, 85)
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Assistants: Matt Donohue, Dominic Costello
Fourth Official: Simeon Lucas
Attendance: 365
The picture below shows Winsford United skipper Lee Jones receiving the trophy from League President Bill King. Photos on this page courtesy of Albert Cooper.
Winsford United Win The League Challenge Cup
Wed 11th May 2011 | Macron Cup
By Ian Templeman
A 74th minute goal from Winsford United full back Lee Duckworth earned his side a 1-0 win over New Mills in the final of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup.
In a close fought encounter at the Tameside Stadium, Duckworth fired in a free kick from the right wing that went through a ruck of players and crept in at the far post to deny the Millers a league and cup double.
In a close fought encounter at the Tameside Stadium, Duckworth fired in a free kick from the right wing that went through a ruck of players and crept in at the far post, to clinch victory for his side.
New Mills went into the game looking to clinch a league and cup double, and they had the better of the early exchanges, creating three openings inside the first 15 minutes.
A Dave Swarbrick cross aimed at Daniel Douglas-Pringle lurking at the far post was headed behind by Winsford's Adam Foy on 5 minutes, and after Carlos Meakin fired a 30 yard free kick wide of the post, Harry Noon shrugged off a challenge and missed the target by a yard from the edge of the penalty area.
At the midway point of the first half, Winsford hit back with two chances in the space of a minute. A header from Michael Brandon just over the bar was followed closely by a Liam Newman shot just wide from the edge of the box. Newman almost capitalised on a mix up between New Mills centre half Tony Barras and keeper Ben Proctor two minutes later, but the ball was eventually scrambled clear.
The best effort of the first half, however, arrived just before the half hour when a cracking 30 yard drive from Winsford centre half Adam Bayley rebounded off the crossbar, as Proctor in the New Mills goal looked on.
After the break New Mills again began well, and Tony Barras was unlucky when he evaded his marker and got on the end of a Carl Carey corner kick, but his header just missed the target.
Winsford hit back and nearly got lucky when a cross-cum-shot from skipper Lee Jones landed in the path of Matthew Ward, and his scuffed shot was gathered by Proctor at the second attempt.
Liam Newman's pace and power was beginning to cause problems for the New Mills defence, and after winning a tussle with Luke Horrocks wide on the right flank, Newman fired a low cross into the six yard box that just failed to find the outstretched boot of strike partner Michael Brandon.
With 17 minutes remaining, a fine sweeping move involving Matthew Ward and Josh Mainwaring set up a shooting opportunity for Newman that was deflected into the path of Brandon, who also saw his shot blocked.
But a minute later the deadlock was finally broken. New Mills full back Luke Horrocks was booked for a challenge on Mainwaring near the right hand touchline, almost level with the edge of the penalty area, and from the resulting free kick Lee Duckworth drove the ball into the six yard box where it evaded attackers and defenders alike before creeping in to the net just inside the far post.
New Mills responded and Douglas-Pringle was unlucky when he outpaced the Winsford defence to collect a through ball, but his shot was deflected into the side netting for a corner kick off the outstretched leg of a Winsford defender.
As the game moved into the closing stages, play swung from end to end but New Mills' chances were hampered with five minutes remaining when Luke Horrocks received his second yellow card of the evening for throwing the ball at a Winsford defender.
The three minutes of added time produced arguably the best three chances of the game. As New Mills threw men forward, a long ball was headed into the path of the lively Douglas-Pringle, who raced in on goal but was denied by a great blocking tackle.
A minute later New Mills won a corner and keeper Ben Proctor joined his team mates in the penalty area, but as the corner was cleared the ensuing rush up field saw Matthew Ward attempt to play Liam Newman in on goal for what would have been a great chance, but the striker was flagged offside.
There was still time for one more Winsford chance after a New Mills attack broke down. Michael Brandon took advantage of time and space on the left, and after rounding the advancing keeper Proctor he rolled the ball into the path of Newman, but although the Winsford striker appeared to be checked by a New Mills defender, the referee waved play on before bringing the game to end moments later.
Winsford United: Richie Mottram, Adam Foy, Lee Duckworth, Colin McAllister, Adam Bayley, Michael Ellison, Josh Mainwaring (Ryan Stewart 76), Lee Jones (captain), Michael Brandon, Liam Newman, Matthew Ward. Subs not used - Lee Thompson, Sam Tomkinson, Alex Burns, Shaun Came.
Goal - Lee Duckworth (74)
Booked - Matthew Ward (16), Colin McAllister (53)
New Mills: Ben Proctor, Mike Bowler, Luke Horrocks, Nick Swirad, Tony Barras, Carl Carey, Carlos Meakin (captain), Steven Pickford, Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Harry Noon (Liam Coyne 80), Dave Swarbrick. Subs not used - Chris Hirst, Richard Rowe, Luke Podmore, Dominic Ingram-Hughes.
Sent Off - Luke Horrocks (two bookings 73, 85)
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Assistants: Matt Donohue, Dominic Costello
Fourth Official: Simeon Lucas
Attendance: 365
The picture below shows Winsford United skipper Lee Jones receiving the trophy from League President Bill King. Photos on this page courtesy of Albert Cooper.
