A bright and chilly morning greeted both teams at Ashton United for the
Tameside League Cup Final. Our team
Captain Ben was a massive miss for us this morning after picking up a rib
injury during Thursday evenings defeat to Avro. Tom and Josh started on the bench for
Ladybridge. The early stages of the half
were quite scrappy with both teams struggling to dominate. Avro's first effort on goal came after about
10mins of the half from a free kick from 30 yards out just going wide. Ladybridge also had a good effort when James
was fed from the left by a pass from Taylor but his shot just went wide of the
mark. Mid way through the half Cole made
a lung busting run down the left flank into the heart of the Avro penalty area
but his shot was skewed wide of the left hand post. Avro's best opportunity of the half was to
come with 10mins of play remaining when the Avro wingers swinging cross into
Conor's area, almost found Ty's head with an empty Ladybridge net to hit. Caleb stepped forward to take a Ladybridge
free kick with 5 to go in the half but he lifted his effort just over the bar. Avro finished the half strongly and had two
decent efforts with one coming from a free kick that was cleared well by Sam
and the other was from some good passing and movement that saw the ball find
its way into the Ladybridge box but the snap shot from the Avro striker just
went wide.
HT 0-0
The 2nd half started well for Ladybridge and it was Cole again who
nearly opened the scoring when he made another trademark flying run of 50 yards
down the left flank only to see his strike clear the crossbar. Avro again pressured the Ladybridge defence
when a corner was curled into the box where Sam did well to clear with a timely
header. Ladybridge had a free kick
awarded to them after 45mins and Cole's delivery into the box found James just
short of glancing the ball home. Avro's
No 19 had a really good chance to open the scoring when he made a strong run
into the box only to be denied by a superb last-ditch challenge by Matt. The first and only goal of the game was to be
scored by Ladybridge and was set up well by Taylor whose delicate flick on
found Cole striding forward into the box with just the Avro keeper to beat
which he did with a well struck effort that nestled into the bottom left hand
corner of the net to make it 1-0 Ladybridge.
Invariably the team going behind will always create a couple of chances
to strike back and in the next 5mins Avro had a good shout for a penalty for
handball turned down and their No 15 forced a decent save from Conor when his
free kick was goal bound from 35 yards out. The last five minutes of the game were played
at a frantic pace and the Avro No 14 had a good shot saved well by Conor before
Cole, in the dying minute, saw a great shot curl agonisingly wide before the
referee's final whistle.
FT Ladybridge 1-0 Avro.
One goal separated these teams on Thursday evening and one goal proved
enough to separate the teams again this morning. Avro have a good squad of players with a never
say die attitude and they did their coaches and many supporters proud today. It took some resolute defending from our
defensive quartet to keep them at bay. We
look forward to meeting them again in the league and cups next season.
Ladybridge were down to a squad of thirteen players this morning and all
of them put in a tremendous amount of effort and guile into winning the League
Cup and they deserved the many plaudits they received post match. One massive match down and three more to
negotiate before the end of the season, which could deliver the League title
and another Cup within the week. Well done lads, you did yourselves proud today
- keep it up!
Gordon
