Park land second straight cup win
PARKLANDS .................................. 3 ST MICHAELS ................................ 1
PARKLANDS won the 2018 Derek Roylance Widnes Challenge Cup with a 3-1 win over St Michaels.
On a wet night for a final on a fast Halton Stadium pitch which was perfect for the passing game, both sides came into this match as winners of their respective groups so it was a final to be savoured.
St Michaels’ previous final was in 2010 where they were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline, while Parklands’ last visit was last season when they lifted the trophy for the second time in their history.
The match started in quite lively fashion with end to end play and some strong tackles were being dished out in midfield.
St Mikes immediately looked to attack Parklands and a sudden break down the right flank caught Parklands by surprise.
The ball eventually found Paul Derbyshire unmarked on the edge of the box but his shot flew wide of the post.
Soon after, Ryan Hunter had two efforts on the Parklands goal, the first was parried by Adam Jackson and the ball broke into free play, when it was knocked back into the forward who slotted home – only to see the assistant’s flag raised for offside as he had strayed into an offside position.
At the other end of the pitch Parklands’ front two of Jay White and Mikey Corrigan were causing quite a few problems with their continuous movement.
The game was end to end, a true cup final with both teams desperate to break the deadlock, which came on the half hour mark.
St Mikes were playing a passing game all over the park and looked confident on the ball, but one such pass from the right-back position into the St Mikes sixyard box to the centre-half was challenged by Corrigan.
The ball broke free and Corrigan hit it hard into the ground and it bounced over the oncoming keeper Tony Kelshaw to give Parklands the lead.
St Mikes were not going to take this easily and started pushing more men forward looking for the equaliser.
On one occasion a through ball from Derbyshire beat the defence and was picked up by team-mate Hunter who only had the keeper to beat, but as he pulled his foot back to fire on goal the ball was taken away from him with a brilliant challenge from Anthony Rawlinson.
On the 40-minute mark Parklands then doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty as the lively Tom Freeman was clattered just inside the St Mikes box.
Up stepped Warren Bellew to fire the spot-kick to the right of the keeper.
The St Mikes heads did not drop but they had a few scary moments up to the break as Parklands had their tails up. The St Mikes back four managed to keep the attacks to a few long range shots.
The half-time team talk by St Mikes manager Neil Greenfield must have had an effect as they came out for the second half early and fired up.
And within a minute they were back in the game when Evan Morris picked the ball up on the right and from 40 yards hit a shot which eluded the Parklands keeper and dropped just under the bar into the net to make it 2-1.
Parklands responded quickly and Tom Freeman’s shot was cleared off the line by the Mikes defence.
Both teams made a couple of changes at this point to give extra legs and stamina. The game became stretched with both pressing for that vital next goal – which came on the 63rd minute and pretty much settled the outcome
Parklands substitute Charlie Burdekin harassed and pushed the St Mikes defence all around the box and managed to pick up a return pass from Corrigan and he fired the ball low and hard into the bottom corner.
Both teams brought on their remaining substitutes but neither could make any telling impact on the game. There were many chances from both sides but the score remained the same until the end.
St Michaels gave Parklands a run for their money but were unable to come up with the killer blow in front of goal, whereas Parklands’ front two and midfield were on top of their game and always looked a threat when attacking.
Parklands lifted the cup for the second year running. ● The presentation of trophies after the final whistle was made by the Mayor of Halton, Councillor John Bradshaw and Mayoress Councillor Marjorie Bradshaw
The winners were: Halton Junior Cup – Halton Borough Wolves U7s; Referees Fair Play Award – Halton Borough FC; Alan Corn Man of the Match Award – Tony Kelshaw (St Michaels); Mark Currier Leading Goalscorer – Paul Derbyshire (St Michaels, nine goals); Charlie Chadwick Runners-up Shield – St Michaels DHFC; Derek Roylance Widnes Challenge Cup Winners – Parklands FC.
The Halton Borough Wolves U7s acted as ball boys during the final and all were rewarded with a medal from the Mayor after the final whistle. ● gone through some four feet but he mended well to take the game 21-19.
The final saw Neal take on Kevin and Neal built a 10-0 lead after just seven ends.
But Kevin soon got into his stride and pulled it back to 10-6.
Neal got the block and reeled off three twos and it at 16-6 the game was almost over.
Kevin managed two singles before Neal ran out the winner 21-8.
League secretary Pat Crowe thanked Subscription BC for the use of their facilities and thanked Bill and Ann Whitby for preparing the green and looking after the draw.
Pat also thanked the spectators for their attendance. ● NEAL Ocego is back in the hunt for silverware tonight (Thursday) in the finals of the Jim Ainsworth merit competition.
Hosting the final is Halton RBL and the finalists are Ocego, Mark Furber, John Briggs (all Pavilions A) and Kevin Duncalf (Norley).