The battle of Trafalgar
Newlands battled back from 2-0 down at halftime to beat title-chasers Trafalgar in the Senior Cup semi-final.
Newlands battled back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat title-chasers Trafalgar in the Senior Cup semi-final.
Traf went ahead after only 10 minutes through a neat finish from Tyson Stubbings, and when Alex Sheader’s bullet header made it 2-0 10 minutes later, the visitors looked to be easing into the cup final.
Newlands stirred into life after the interval and pulled a goal back when Kile Fields’ 70th-minute corner sailed over the head of Traf keeper Liam Vasey.
Another Fields corner caused more confusion 10 minutes from time, and after a scramble in the goalmouth Jordan Philliskirk forced the ball home to level the scores and set up an exciting finale.
With just three minutes remaining, Newlands fired at the Traf goal, the gloveman failed to hang onto it and Kurtis Henderson, who had been moved up front from his usual central midfield berth by boss Joe Hakings, slotted in the winner for the home side.
Hakings said: “Everyone played very well, but the pick of the team was right-back Chris Mann.”
Traf boss Col Jenkinson said: “A lack of substitutes and two poor refereeing decisions cost us, we just ran out of steam midway through the second half.
“We’re not downbeat and are looking forward to our remaining games.”
Valley remain on track for a Division Two title decider with Hush in their final game of the season after claiming a 3-1 home win against Newlands Reserves.
A scrappy goal from Adam Hartmann, after a goalmouth scramble, put Valley ahead in the first half, but Newlands pulled a goal back before the interval through Alfie Cotterill.
Ben Kristensen’s team stepped up a gear after halftime, and restored their lead on the hour mark when skipper Greg Dixon headed in a long pass from Andrew Roebuck.
The points were effectively sealed 15 minutes from time when Paul Nuttall finished neatly at the far post.
Man of the match for Valley was centre-back Josh Welburn,
while Tyler Beck was the star man for Newlands.
AytonReserves secured a fine 3-0 win at a depleted Angel Athletic Reserves.
Tom Mackenzie-Fenwick put Ayton in front after fine work from Si Coupland and after the interval they doubled their lead thanks to a goal from Jamie Millar, created by Jamie Heritage.
Ayton keeper Shaun Dolan then saved an Angel spot-kick, before a bullet header from Coupland from Rich Molloy’s corner completed the scoring.
Right-winger Molloy was the star man for Ayton in a great team performance, while Corey Towell, who usually plays in goal for Angel, impressed at centre-back for the hosts. Trafalgar and Angel both claimed 6-0 wins on Tuesday evening to set up a Division One title decider this weekend.
The wins ensured that leaders Angel maintained their one-point lead over Traf, with the two teams meeting this Sunday at the latter’s Raincliffe School pitch in a crunch clash.
Angel won on the road at
Fylingdales thanks to a hattrick from Cam Dobson and a brace from debutant Robbie Scarborough, as well as a Ben Mason effort.
Dobson, Scarborough and left-back Kurt Williamson impressed for the victors.
Jamie Wassall pulled off a couple of fine saves to keep the score down for the home side, also saving a penalty in the process.
Traf won 6-0 at Newlands thanks to four goals from Liam Salt, as well as strikes from man of the match Tyler Richardson and Niall Gibb.
Ayton Reserves finished
their Division Two season with a 4-1 home win against Radio Scarborough.
A Si Coupland shot was deflected into the net by man of the match Jamie Heritage, but the visitors levelled almost immediately through Mike Webster.
After the interval Ayton pushed on, but it was not until the 70th minute that Leeroy Donaldson forced the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble.
Five minutes later a fine play from Ste Molloy and Luke Chambers set up Chris Goodwin to make it 3-1.