A second final proves too much

Published on 8th May 2008 in Letters

Viking Raiders 1

Wawne Ferry  2

Viking Raiders' hopes of a cup double were dashed after they turned in a poor performance against Hull-based opponents Wawne Ferry in the HE Dean Cup final at Bridlington Town's Queensgate on Saturday.

Ferry were quickest out of the blocks and caused problems from the first whistle.

Raiders looked sluggish and failed to keep hold of the ball for long enough to build attacks of their own.

It took twenty minutes before Wawne took the lead with a close range header from a free-kick routine, and this ought to have woken the Goole side up, but still they could not take a hold of the game.

On the stroke of half-time came a crucial moment, when Vikings keeper Richardson conceded a penalty and was shown the red card for pulling back the Wawne striker.

Lee Gelder took over in goal and made a fine save from the spot-kick to keep the deficit to one, but the lack of a player for the whole second half was to prove crucial.

For all that though, Raiders played much better after the break as Paul Marshall and Tom Bryan started to assert in the midfield area.

The introduction of Kris Baxter freshened things up in attack and for a period Wawne began to look as though they were running out of steam.

Following a corner, Raiders drew level through Baxter's low shot into the corner.

Wawne still hit the Goole side on the break, but Gelder looked solid between the posts, and Vikings' best chance fell to Ashley Lattimore who rounded the keeper but then failed to hit the target following Josh Giles' pass.

With minutes left, Wawne scored the winner, Raiders gave the ball away in a dangerous area and from a fine through ball, the striker, who had earlier missed the penalty, this time found a finish and there was no time for the Goole side to respond.

It was a cruel way to lose, but in truth the Premier Division side were second best for most of the game and can have no complaints at the outcome.

To their credit, Wawne looked a good side, and if they are - as expected - promoted to the Premier Division, they will cause problems for several teams next season.

Dead game brings exciting fare

Viking Raiders 4, Howden Amateurs 2

Both sides had little other than pride to play for in this end-of-season clash, but the result was a high intensity, fast-paced game with the Goole side coming out on top.

After a long spell of Raiders pressure, Howden took the lead on the half-hour after the hosts failed to clear their lines, but the lead did not last long.

Firstly, Mark Kulic headed in Neil Zaifert's cross, then Ashley Lattimore scored one of the goals of the season, picking up the ball on the edge of his own area, running the length of the pitch and smashing a shot in off the post.

Raiders made the game safe early in the second half, Lattimore scoring his second and then Josh Giles converted a penalty following a strange decision by the referee.

Stevens pulled one back for Howden as they tried to get back into the game, but Raiders were able to hold on and record three points.

Man of the Match for Raiders was Mark Kulic.