Eagles’ strong character does job in fantastic Archers victory
CARDIFF MET ARCHERS 59 NEWCASTLE EAGLES WBBL 78 NO-NONSENSE Newcastle Eagles kept alive their WBBL playoff dream with a magnificent win against shellshocked Cardiff Met Archers.
The visitors snapped a five-game losing streak to stun the hosts and move back into the Championship’s top eight.
Maddy Mcvicar’s double double of 14 points and 11 rebounds marked the US rookie’s long-awaited return to top form.
And league MVP contender Ali Gorrell fell narrowly short of an historic triple double as she racked up 19 points, nine boards and seven assists.
A combination of strong character, total commitment and complete focus underlined a statement win for the sensational visitors.
And no wonder head coach
Chris Bunten was beaming with pride as his battling underdogs headed home from the Cardiff School of Sport with a big victory under their belts.
The absence of co-captain Rachael Bland and guard Ruth Thornley meant Bunten was forced to run an energy sapping eightplayer rotation for most of the afternoon in the Welsh capital.
But Ori Chukwu-etu’s transformation from bit-part bench player to key starting five star gathered pace as the pharmacy student gave the visitors an early shot in the arm.
Chukwu-etu was at the heart of a lightning start for Newcastle as the visitors tore into an 14-4 lead.
A Jorjah Smith triple with 45 seconds of the opening period remaining restored the Eagles’ double-digit advantage.
And Bunten’s side withstood some serious second period pressure to lead 39-29 at the half and lay the foundation for a stunning first win in six.
Cardiff, meanwhile, were struggling to rediscover the offensive intensity that had underpinned their win on Tyneside earlier this month.
Newcastle’s defence was back to its stifling best and when Mara Marchizotti picked up a fourth foul midway through the third quarter it was advantage Bunten.
Five Gorrell free throws on the bounce opened up a 57-43 lead with two-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter to play.
Fatigue must have been kicking in as the Eagles approached the half hour mark but back-to-back scores from Abby Lowe and Millie Oates saw the visitors lead 66-45 heading into the final period.
This time there was no late wobble to deny Newcastle a deserved win.
CONSETT and Hebburn Town could still walk out at Wembley this season as the Football Association target a May date for their FA Vase Final.
The Northern League rivals were set to meet at the home of football last May after coming through challenging semi-final ties in a competition that has provided the North East with a regular source of success over the last 12 years.
However, the introduction of stronger Covid-19 restrictions in March 2022 led to 2019/20 season being declared as null and void for clubs plying their trade in steps three to six of the nonleague system.
The FA Vase Final meeting between the two North East clubs was scheduled to take place before the FA Trophy Final Nonleague Finals Day on Sunday, 17 May.
That date was postponed but the FA told clubs competing in the final of both competitions that they were committed to completing both fixtures at Wembley.
The governing body sent a statement to clubs that are still in both of this season’s earlier this week confirming that they are looking to resume ties in April – and it is believed that their intention is to hold the finals of last season’s Vase and Trophy in May.
The statement in full read: “Further to the announcement from The FA today, we write to confirm that it is the intention that the Buildbase FA Vase shall continue, on the basis that the road map is implemented as set out by the Government earlier this week.
“We are currently liaising with the relevant parties with regards to a revised schedule for the Competition and will communicate this along with other details (such as emergency Rule amendments or modifications) as soon as these have been finalised.
“Please note that due to time limitations, the Competition will resume at the earliest opportunity (meaning that all Clubs should be prepared to resume playing FA Vase fixtures in early April) to ensure that all remaining fixtures can be played, and the Competition can be completed in its usual format.”
Talks are believed to be ongoing between the FA and a number of parties as further news is awaited over the relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions that have wreaked havoc with the non-league schedule over the last year.
No dates over either final have been finalised – although the expected return of supporters to stadiums around the country in the middle of May could play a key role in any decision.
OLDHAM scored three goals in 15 second-half minutes to come from behind and win 3-1 at Carlisle.
Joshua Kayode’s goal saw the home side go in ahead at the break but the Latics rallied and levelled through a Marcel Hilssner penalty after a Rhys Bennett handball.
A curling strike from Dylan Bahamboula gave Oldham the lead and the points were secured as Carl Piergianni headed home a third.
Meanwhile, Liam O’neil’s late finish was enough for league leaders Cambridge to maintain their status at the top with victory at Port Vale.
The game at Vale Park looked destined to end in a goalless draw only for O’neil to score from outside the box with just five minutes remaining to give the U’s a 1-0 win.
Cheltenham remain two points adrift after leaving Glanford Park with a 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe.
A crisp finish from Sam Smith put the visitors ahead before Leicester loanee Callum Wright wrapped up the points before half-time with a well-taken goal.
Elsewhere, Tranmere ran out 3-1 winners at Leyton Orient, while, at the wrong end of the table, Barrow suffered a 1-0 stoppage-time defeat at Bolton.
Grimsby remain rooted to the bottom of the table as they lost 1-0 at Harrogate, while Southend sit above the drop zone and moved two points clear of Barrow with a goalless stalemate at home to Salford.
Crawley won the day’s early kickoff against 10-man Exeter to bring an end to the Grecians’ five-game unbeaten run.
Bradford won 2-1 at Walsall as Levi Sutton’s strike and an Andy Cook goal against his former club were enough for victory.
Newport and Stevenage played out a goalless draw in south Wales.