Road to title for Hardiker
BOXING
IT was an incredible showing from Rossendale boxer Kai Hardiker when he became England Boxing National Youth Champion, and his performances to reach that title were ones to remember.
Kai was representing Moss
Side Fire Station Boxing Club, and in order to get to the stage to compete for the England Boxing National Youth title, he first had to win the North West Regional title, which he did in extremely dominant fashion by stoppage all of his opponents during his four fights.
He then progressed to the pre-quarter final, where he went up against the East Midlands champion. It was yet another fantastic performance from Kai, who stopped his performance halfway through the first round to reach the quarter-final.
His quarter-final fight saw him pitted against Jay Bunclark, from the well known Ingle Gym in Sheffield. Kai dominated all three rounds, with Bunclark also receiving a standing eight count in the third and final round.
It resulted in a one-sided unanimous decision victory for Kai, and placed him into the semi-final of the tournament. The semi-final was unable to take place, as Kai’s opponent did not make the required weight, meaning Kai was given a bye straight into the final.
The final saw Kai go up against Jaydedul Islam from the well-known Repton Boxing Club in London, who appeared to be extremely confident of lifting the trophy.
Kai had other ideas though, as the Rossendale boxer produced a fantastic performance to win the fight on a split decision, and therefore become England Boxing National Youth Champion.
It was a sensational display from Kai, who was able to overcome some of the best boxers in the country to take the crown in the 56 to 60kg Youth Cadet category.
●● All smiles at the end of the game
●● A jubilant Chris Willcock and Lincoln Adams join in the celebrations
MARINE ............................ 0 RAMSBOTTOM UTD ....... 1
AARON BENSON
ALATE 88th minute winner from Jamie Rother saw Ramsbottom produce arguably their finest win of the season with a 1-0 victory over fellow promotion chasers Marine.
Rother became the Rams super sub scoring only minutes after coming onto the pitch with a decisive finish in a game that looked to be heading for a goalless draw.
With the same eleven that beat Kendal the week previous this was the second consecutive match Chris Willcock’s side claimed three points late on.
Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic causing havoc in all corners of the globe, a wonderful crowd of 677 was present on Merseyside to see two of the dominant sides in the division lock horns.
The expected fireworks from the respective sides was lacking fizz in the opening stages as goalkeepers Daniel Atherton and Tom Stewart were left with little work to do as both defences stood firm.
The largest appeal of the first 30 minutes came when Marine had a penalty appeal turned down. Turning towards goal, Niall Cummins met an ambitious forward ball and was caught by Kelvin Lugsden.
Fortunately for the number six, referee Nik Storey was not to be won over by the appeals from the home players or supporters.
On a rare chance going forward the visitors could have taken the lead. Iyrwah Gooden almost capitalised on a defensive slip-up before Atherton was able to clear the danger.
Defensive stalwart Luke
Thompson was the side’s star man with multiple blocks and clearances throughout whilst keeping the attacking duo of Neil Kengni and Niall Cummins at bay.
The second half was a sharp contrast to the first with both sides playing free flowing football and looking dangerous whenever they went forward.
The half began with Rammy carving out what seemed to be the best chance of the game before Rother scored. Gooden found himself one on one with the goalkeeper yet despite lifting the ball over Atherton’s head, Mariners left back James Joyce produced a goal saving block to steer the ball wide of goal.
Slowly becoming the dominant team, Richard Baker saw an effort blocked by Anthony Miley and Reuben Jerome was only a hairs width away from a shot before Atherton denied all hopes of an opener putting both his hands and body over the ball.
As the game slowly started to open up, the home side created their own good chance.
Splitting the Rams defence, Kengni was left with an open goal on the edge of the box only to misfire the shot wide in a huge wake up call for Willcock’s men.
However Stewart was called into action moments later, making a big reflex save from a towering Miley header.
The centre back was turning into the greatest threat from set-pieces, his back post header from the next corner failed to find any attacking player although had any man in black and gold met the ball a goal would have surely followed.
With both teams turning the screw when on the front foot, Reece Fishwick stung the palms of Atherton with a long distance attempt as he tried to rifle the ball home.
With the two defences
●● Jamie Rother, right, volleys home the late winner cracking at the surface, Edward Cooper was the next man on the scene hoping to score.
A fine touch and control all so typical of Evangelinos, assisted Cooper, however the final piece of play was not testament to the clever forward run the number four made.
Richard Baker was also in on the action yet he was only able to drag a shot straight into the arms of Atherton.
All the hard work of Ramsbottom paid off with a goal from Rother.
The ball was worked beautifully to the by-line where Cooper’s cut back found the club stalwart who held his nerve and burst the net with a volley from ten yards out, queuing a cacophony of noise from the ultras behind the goal.