Veronica boys do Stanley proud in final pool
SCHOOLS FOOTBALL ST Veronica’s Primary School had every reason to smile after their recent EFL regional cup success as they travelled to the Keepmoat Stadium, in Doncaster, to represent Accrington Stanley FC in the EFL cup Northern Final.
The eventual winners would be rewarded with a trip to Wembley to play at the play-off final.
The Rossendale school were pooled in a group alongside Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United and Crewe Alexandra.
Showing no sign of nerves, the boys took to the field to face Blackpool in the opening game and worked tirelessly to out pass the Tangerines and register a 1-0 win courtesy of a blistering drive from Theo Braithwaite.
The second and third fixtures against Doncaster and eventual winners Carlisle both ended in a 3-0 reverse as the physicality and determination of their opponents proved too much for St Veronica’s. This was despite energetic running from Zane Asfaha and tireless defending from Declan Reeder.
The final game of the group saw the school face an extremely technical and fiery Crewe team who narrowly edged an evenly balanced game 1-0. Harry Barnes pulled off a string of fine saves whilst Jamie McDonough, Jacob Hanson and Brodie Flynn were a constant threat to the opposition goal.
St Veronica’s had to win the Rossendale Schools trophy and then go on to beat the winners of the Ribble and Hyndburn trophy to get to this stage of the competition.
Despite finishing fourth on the day the children represented their school, borough and club with pride and respect.
ANOTHER another eleven game, starting for the Rams.
Pre-match in the dressing room must resemble an episode of Blind Date at the moment.
Perhaps Mark Fell should draft in Paul O’Grady for the tactical talks.
Of course the current spate of injuries and angst makes the rotation of players and last minute drafting of players to fill holes all but unavoidable, but it does not make sense of a confident mid-table finish building towards next season anything more than an illusion.
This was a very good ●● Lee Gaskell goes down under a challenge point against third-placed Trafford and that midtable finish is now assured – just as well on the back of news of a harsh fourpoint deduction for at worst a very minor alleged administrative error.
The Rams’ displays these days are taking on a recurring familiarity with their goals emanating from a combination of persistent running into the box by Darrhyl Mason and calm efficiency by Lee Gaskell at the penalty spot.
Trafford might have found themselves in front early on when a shot from 15 yards was volleyed over before, on 25 minutes, Mason forced his way into the box and was bundled over. Gaskell strolled up and sent the keeper one way and the ball the other to put the Rams in front from the penalty spot.
The Rams were looking good for a half-time lead until Trafford got their own penalty.
From some distance, young stand in full back Tom Murphy was doing his best to avoid contact with Kingsley Williams, moving away from the direction of the ball.
The Trafford winger went down in more instalments than it used to take to buy a fur coat from Littlewoods Catalogue and the referee pointed to the spot. The spot kick duly converted, it was all square of the break
Another persistent theme has been slow starts by the Rams on the re-start.
Three minutes into the second period a short corner routine resulted in a goalmouth scramble.
The Rams could not clear and Josh Granite chiselled the ball in to put Trafford in front.
As might be expected this put the Rams on the back foot.
It they continued to try and flay a bit of football and where rewarded when a mirror image of their first penalty saw Gaskell equalise from the spot.
From there it was end to end stuff. Trafford crashed a shot against the bar as a prelude to frantic final moments.
Gaskell was able to get round the keeper but from a narrow angle could only chip just wide and then Trafford broke to the other end and it took a fine save from Martin Fearon to keep the ball out. A win by either side would have been harsh on the other.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s game against Scarborough was postponed and rearranged for Tuesday 28th March at 7.45pm. ●● Grant Spencer and Ronny Pearson trouble the Trafford defence