Bracknell Town & District Sunday Football League
Match reports for the Junior Cup Final on 8th May 09

Bracknell Town & District Sunday Football League
Junior League Cup Final Report 8th May 09

Line Ups:

FC Fernhill

Steven Hobden, Matthew Lindstrom, Adam Emptage, Craig Masey, Daniel Willis, Ben Knight, Jamie Osborn, Kaine Page, Sam Whiting (c), Scott Whiting, Stephen Tranter. Subs – Richard Bolton, Robert Musson, Lee Hazlewood, Nasir Bockarie.

Keephatch Park

Adam Hellier, Dave Merritt, Steve Bursil, Matt Cheale (c), Marc Copperthwaite, Adam Lawson, Chris Julian, Andy Cheale, Liam Davies, Phil Tiernan, Phil Foster. Subs – Dan Merritt, Jay Harding, Chris Midwood, Tom Aston.

Keephatch Park got the game underway, but it was FC Fernhill whom took the first shot of the match as Sam Whiting managed to connect with an in swinging corner to send the ball goal bound, upon which Adam Hellier saved. Keephatch took the advantage after 10 mins as Andy Cheale placed a high ball into the Fernhill box from the right wing, Steve Hobden came for the ball from the goal mouth but misjudged the cross leaving Phil Tiernan to head home the opening goal from 12 yards.

Fernhill took a few minutes to settle after the goal but then produced a string of efforts on goal, the first coming from Craig Masey whom shot low toward the bottom corner to which Hellier managed to save with his feet. Sam Whiting also had an effort palmed away before Masey’s 2nd attempt, this time a long range strike, was again saved by Hellier in the Keephatch goal.

After a spell of pressure, Keephatch took the game to the opposite end as Adam Lawson and Phil Tiernan combined to come close to extending the lead with a 2nd goal. This was not the case though and Fernhill played the ball up the pitch ending with a shout for a penalty that was waved away and a corner given by the match official.

Matt Lindstrom came close from the resulting corner, but Hellier again provided the much needed save from the shot. Just before the break, Andy Cheale shot from distance for Keephatch after Liam Davies initial shot was blocked by the Fernhill back line. This shot whistled past the post leaving the ref to call for half time.

2ND HALF

Keephatch looked to continue where they left off as the 1st attempt of the 2nd half came by way of a header from Phil Tiernan, upon which Hobden saved well. Straight up the other end and Fernhill levelled the scores at 1-1 on 50 mins as Ben Knight managed to find the back of the net off of the upright after a one on one with Hellier.

Sam Whiting made the chance after a run through the centre of the field, but he could not take the shot himself as he was closed down by Marc Copperthwaite. The next 10 mins saw shots go close from both sides as Sam Whiting and Robert Musson had chances for Fernhill, with Chris Julian, Andy Cheale and Liam Davies coming close for Keephatch.

On 65 mins an enforced change was made to the Keephatch line up as Dan Merritt replaced Steve Bursil following a knee injury from a strong defensive challenge. Steve Tranter had the next chance as Matt Lindstrom placed a cross into the Keephatch box, but his header was saved by Hellier.

Tiernan and Julian saw long range efforts sail wide as the game was nearing full time, but Sam Whiting rushed at the Keephatch back line on 85 mins, cut back on himself in the box and lofted a shot toward the top left corner of the net. Hellier was again bought to use as he plucked the ball from the air to keep the scores level.

Keephatch had the final attempt on 90 mins as Andy Cheale found himself in a one on one situation with Hobden, the shot was pushed low to the right, but Hobden kept Fernhill in the game by smothering the ball and preventing the goal. The whistle blew at 1-1 forcing the game into extra time.

EXTRA TIME

During the opening stages of extra time, Sam Whiting went to ground in the Keephatch box under a strong challenge from Marc Copperthwaite, the referee blew the whistle and pointed to the spot, upon which the linesman intervened and informed the ref that the challenge was in fact a fair one. The decision was overturned and play went on.

Although the decision went against Fernhill they kept battling toward goal and Nasir Buckaroo’s shot was deflected into the side netting for a corner. The ball was swung in from the corner and after it dropped to Ben Knight’s feet it was then struck across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for a 2-1 Fernhill lead.

Few shots came after the 2nd goal as both teams were tiring, but efforts came from Whiting and Musson for Fernhill and Dan Merritt and Tiernan for Keephatch, all of which were gathered by the respective keepers. Fernhill managed to hold the ball up for the last moments of the match before the final whistle went, resulting in a 2-1 victory. FC Fernhill managed to come from a goal down to retain the league cup for the 2nd consecutive year.

Congratulations to both teams for a good game and of course the match officials Mike Hestlehurst, Tom Slaughter, Mick Collins and Jim Quinton. Nikos Patsalides presented the teams with their trophies, with the man of the match accolade going to Adam Hellier, the goalkeeper for Keephatch Park.

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