Brook end 53-year wait for Rhodes Cup joy
THE climax of the busy L and C season is ending with the completion of vital league fixtures and five cup finals.
The top cup competition is the Rhodes Cup for teams in the Premier and division one and Hyde United were excellent hosts for the final featuring De La Salle Reds and Moston Brook, the top two teams in the Premier division.
Moston Brook joined the Land C in 1969 and after finishing the season as runners-up by a point to De La Salle Reds they made it through to their first-ever Rhodes Cup final against De La Salle Reds.
The game with a fine audience of nearly 400 enjoyed a close game between the top two teams in the league which showed the talent and great organisation enjoyed by both of them.
The first half saw De La
Salle have a slight edge but there were few chances created with the best one seeing Brook hit the woodwork.
Moston Brook came out with greater purpose after the break and they created several good chances before breaking the deadlock on 65 minutes when the outstanding
Jack Ward saw a powerful shot deflected in to open their account.
De La Salle responded well and pressed hard for the rest of the game but were denied by some determined defending to see Brook across the line and set up suitable celebrations as they ended their 53-year wait to win the league’s premier Knock Out Trophy which has been played for in over 110 years.
The first final was for the Wray Cup for teams in divisions two and three and Wythenshawe Amateurs were great hosts for a gripping contest between Baguley Athletic and Hattersley.
The decisive moment came just before the break in extra time when a handball on the line prevented a Hattersley goal to result in a red card and a penalty.
Rob Swallow is a regular scorer for Hattersley and the speedy winger made no mistake from the spot, the goal proving decisive.
Two days later at Wright Robinson Sports College was the final of the Harry Jack Cup.
In action were division one champions Chadderton Cott and Signol Athletic who last season had played a marathon Wray Cup final that went to over 30 penalties to decide the winners.
Another close encounter saw Cott lead 1-0 at the break before a penalty saw Signol level and taking the tie into extra time.
Signol went into the lead but Cott were not to be denied as they drew level to force the penalty shoot-out but Signol had the last word as they won the shoot-out 5-3.
There were three games in division two and champions Irlam Tiger Rangers lost 3-0 in their local derby with Eccles United and two close games saw Mellor beat Baguley Athletic 4-3 and Bedians were 3-2 winners at Newton.
Mellor reserves are division C champions after finishing their programme in the previous week and produced comfortable wins for Salford Storm reserves by 7-2 over Stoconians reserves and Altrincham Hale by 4-0 over Govan Development.