Cup semi-finals go to form book

Published on 15th March 2007 in Sport

Division One Cup Semi-Final

Victoria Rangers 3, Vikings 1

Two old foes will meet in the final of the Division One Cup after Victoria Rangers came from behind to beat Vikings 3-1 in their semi-final. They will met Old Goole Veterans in the Pleasure Grounds final, scheduled for March 25.

An even opening eventually save the Vikings take the lead, with Mark Kulic on target slotting home from close range.

It prompted Rangers into action and they put some good football together in search of the equaliser. This came on the half-hour mark as Jason Gibbon headed home from a corner.

The score remained the same until the break, and the second half started in much the way the first ended,with Rangers creating most of the chances.

On the hour, disaster for the Vikings as Dave England headed into his own net. This was a fillip for Rangers, who appeared to settle the tie with twenty minutes remaining as Calvin Wheldrake volleyed home following a classy move down the right-hand side.

There looked to be a ray of hope for the Vikings with ten minutes remaining as they won a dubious penalty, but Marc Welsh made a double save from the spot and any hopes of a revival went with that.

The Mansfield Brewery Man of the Match award went jointly to Calvin Wheldrake and Marc Welsh, and the game also marked the 300th appearance for Jason Greaves, a tremendous achievement in Sunday league football.

This Sunday Rangers entertain Arcadia in the Goole and Thorne Cup, hopefully at Western Road, with a 10.30am kick off.

Old Goole Veterans 7, NUR 1

The Veterans meanwhile booked their place in the final with a comfortable win over NUR at South Park. It took them just five minutes to get in front, Ady Heathcock's mis-kick finding Lee Burnitt, who lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area.

Dale Noon made it two, capitalising on a poor back pass to slot home past the advancing keeper.

The visitors tried to get back into the contest and for a ten-minute spell had the home side under pressure, but Simon Cooke was in good form to deny them before Andy Lazenby made it 3-0 for Old Goole with a diving header at the near post from a Sam Nicholls corner.

Lazenby, the goalscorer, soon became goal provider with a perfect cross for Neil Huntington to control with his chest and volley past the keeper from the edge of the area.

The tie was already over, but the home side weren't finished and within five minutes of the restart Paul Marshall, on as a substitute, reacted quickly to a Sam Nicholls shot to slot home the rebound.

Captain Gary Noon made it six when a cross from the left found him on the edge of the area, and his well-executed strike gave the keeper little chance. To round off a good morning for the 'Vets', Neil Huntington found Dale Noon who fired home his second from just inside the area.

Neal grabbed a late consolation for NUR.

The Man of the Match for Old Goole Veterans was Adi Jones, and the match sponsorship came from Alan Eldridge.

Division Two Cup Semi-Final

Cowick Cavaliers 3, Canal Tavern 8

The Canal Tavern eased themselves into the league final with an impressive performance against a dogged Cowick side.

On a sunny morning at Cowick Hall the home side shocked the watching fans as they went ahead after two minutes following a mistake at the back.

This spurred Tavern on as Lee Pearson was fed by Adam Freeborn, and he coolly beat the oncoming keeper to make the score level.

After 10 minutes Sean McCarthy put the Tavern in front with a precision goal made by John Freeborn, but immediately the Cavaliers responded to make it 2-2.

The game was played at a frantic pace but Man of the Match Daz Brown rifled a thunderous shot past the Cavaliers' bewildered keeper to make it 3 -2, and he was there again to make it 4-2 on the half-hour mark.

The Tavern seemed to ease off a bit and the Cavaliers went straight down and scored again.

This was certainly turning into a proper cup tie! Manager Mark Sheppard gave out more instructions from the sidelines and this seemed to do the trick as Sean McCarthy, fed by Steve Patrick, unleashed a 25-yard left-footer that would have graced any ground in the country.

After the break the Tavern were in control as Scott Pearson broke down the left and supplied his brother, leading scorer Lee, who clinically finished. He completed his hat trick in the 69th minute with a looping header.

The away side were now comfortable at the back, with both captain Craig Hampson and partner Lee Place dominating.

The Tavern started to enjoy what had been a nervous start and finally Scott Pearson hammered home a left-foot shot deep into the corner of the Cowick net two minutes from time.

The game ended 8-3 to the Tavern, but did not reflect the chances that the visitors failed to convert or the spirited effort that the Cowick team displayed.

Special thanks to sponsor Alex at Key Kars. Next week they are home to Green Dragon 10.30am.

Division Two

Howden Minster 11, Victoria Hotel 0

Howden Minster entertained Victoria Hotel at Newport and ran out easy 11-0 winners.

The goalscoring started with Howden's first corner being scrambled in by Paul Tough, which was quickly followed by a fine Graeme Buffrey header.

Further goals from Tough, Andy Branton and John Todd saw Minster go into the break 5-0 up.

The goals continued after half time as Tough completed his hat-trick, John Todd scored twice to complete his hat-trick and Andy Branton scored three more, giving him a personal tally of four.

The visitors battled hard but were unable to break down Minster's strong defence and the game ended in a stunning 11-0 win.

The teams meet again this week as Minster look to continue their good form which has seen them score 18 goals in the last two games.

Thanks to sponsors The Kings Arms Newport, Ashram Balti Restaurant and CS Enterprises (Hull) for their continued support of Howden Minster.

Drax Athletic 1, Bay Horse 0

Drax unreservedly must thank their keeper for his second clean sheet in two matches, lifting them to their highest-ever position in the league.

It was an end-to-end match, with both teams creating many chances. Drax opened the scoring half-way through the first half an open onslaught on the Bay Horse net, resulting in their keeper pulling off a reaction save from the head of Richard Green, only for it to fall to the feet of the Drax defender Kieran Miles to fire it home.

The match, although a bit scrappy at times, was quite uneventful after that until the second half. The Bay Horse came out for revenge in and really lifted their game but Jamie Hunt in the Drax net pulled off at least half a dozen fantastic saves, applauded by both teams.

Drax started to take control again midway through the second half and were unlucky not to increase their lead. Drax man of the match Jamie Hunt.

Drax continue their climb up the league on Sunday with an away tie at the Buchanan, who have already beaten them in the league and dumped them out of the cup. Revenge could be sweet.

Rawcliffe Bridge Club 0, Green Dragon 3

Green Dragon moved three points clear of third-placed Buchanan with a comfortable victory at Rawcliffe Bridge on Sunday morning.

The Dragon made the better start on a difficult pitch, and opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Glen Hookway did all the hard work down the left, and his delicious ball was prodded home by Dragon top-scorer Andrew Bembridge.

The swirling wind didn't help the standard of football, but despite starting shakily the back three of Dave Howe, Michael Ryan and Nick Worth became more assured as the half progressed. This allowed the Dragon to continue to push forward, and they took a two-goal lead before half time. Dave Curran did well down the right, and Adi Cowan's goalbound effort deflected in off a defender. 2-0 to the Dragon at half time.

The third goal of the game was always going to be crucial, and soon after the re-start substitute Matthew Daniels scored his first goal for the club, diverting home a right-wing cross from Bembridge.

With Gary Woods, Ryan Stewart and Greg Houseman battling hard in the central midfield areas the Dragon were determined not to let the lead slip, and with Tommy Dudley safe in the Dragon goal when called upon they cantered home.

This week Green Dragon have a top-of-the-table clash against Canal Tavern. Players to meet at 9.30am for a 10am kick off.