Cup joy for NKF after convincing win
NKF Burbage have had a sucessful season up to now and sealed a fantastic County Cup run with a 4-0 win against Thurnby Rangers to lift the 2017 trophy.
Burbage got off to the perfect start when Sean Astill headed over the Thurnby goalkeeper, Astill did not give up a long ball from Heath and managed to get there before the keeper.
With just two minutes on the clock Burbage were one up.
The game was very hustle and bustle and Burbage seemed a little rushed when in possession and it was Thurnby who looked to get the ball down and play however, they were not troubling the Burbage defence or Hill who made a couple of routine stops.
Burbage were the team that were looking more threatening when going forward.
Just after the half hour mark Tom Smith made it 2-0 after Coultas had done well down the left, the referee has to be given credit for playing the advantage after Coultas was fouled. Smith gave the keeper no chance as he bent the ball in off the post with his right foot.
Around four minutes later it was 3-0 and pretty much game over even with 10 minutes to go until half time, but not before the referee and his assistant had the first big decision to make of the evening.
Burbage were awarded a free kick which ended up in a melee that saw Iliffe pushed to the floor, there appeared to be some confusion as to whether it was a push or a punch but the referee showed the Thurnby player a yellow card.
The resulting free kick from Heath was turned home by Whitehurst.
Burbage managed the second half well and took control of the game.
With 65 minutes on the clock Smith again finished well after a lovely move from Burbage to make it 4-0.
Thurnby now knew they were beaten and tackles started to fly in and tempers were beginning to be lost.
The Thurnby manager was sent from the dugout after he went too far with his protests.
Late on two Thurnby players went flying in on Storer and the referee had no option but to send the player off that made contact with him, unfortunately the referee showed the red card to the wrong player and after a minute or so and a consultation with his assistant he did allow the player back on the pitch and showed the red card to the Thurnby striker.
This is the first piece of silverware for the club this season and with just nine points needed to secure the league title and in the Challenge Vase final the club will hope to have some more to add to the County Cup.
After the match the club were kindly invited back to the Local Hero in Leicester where Nobby and his team looked after players, officials and supporters.
The club’s committee, management team and players would like to thank everyone who came along to Holmes Park on Tuesday night to support the team.
Now the club looks ahead to the final five league matches, all of these are at home, and the Challenge Vase final.
With three wins still needed they would love to see spectators at their home matches.