UCL Review 2015 16

OTHER CUPS REVIEW: FURTHER SILVERWARE FOR CHAMPIONS

The respective Premier and First Division champions both added to their silverware collections with end of season cup successes.

Top flight kings AFC Kempston lifted the North Beds Charity Cup with a 2-1 win over step 4 Barton Rovers in the final at Langford. After wins over Ampthill and Stotfold on the way to the final the Walnut Boys found themselves up against future Southern League opponents at Forde Park, and after falling behind in the first half Kempston really looked up against it when they had Michael Lyon dismissed. Resilience had been a feature of Kempston’s season though and they levelled through Ash Fuller before Jamaine Ivy’s late strike gave them the trophy. Division One champions Peterborough Sports won the Hinchingbrooke Cup in their first year in membership of the competition. Their run started with a win at St Neots Saints before they defeated Thurlow Nunn title chasers Godmanchester and local rivals Yaxley to set up a final with holders Peterborough Northern Star who had put up a spirited defence of the trophy. After the final at Huntingdon was postponed the game was rescheduled for Yaxley and the fast paced surface suited Sports as they overran Star 4-1. An Avelino Vieira double and singles from Karl Gibbs and Dan Lawlor secured victory with a Chris Jones free kick counting for the holders. A new addition to the local football calendar, the SRSN sponsored Daniels Cup, saw Blackstones become the inaugural winners, beating Stamford Lions 3-2 in the final. Stones handed Cottesmore a 6-2 semi final drubbing but found Lions a tougher nut to crack in the final at Stamford AFC’s Zeeco Stadium. A Calum Parker header and late Steve Mastin brace took the trophy to Lincoln Road. Buckingham beat AFC Rushden & Diamonds Under 21s 2-0 to win the pre season James Victory Cup, Lewis Cardno and Sean Bishop the Robins marksmen. Wisbech picked up two items of pre season silverware. Declan Rogers and Jack Brand were on target in a 2-0 BKD Cup win at March while in the Denis Harris Memorial Cup two Matt Sparrow goals and one from Charley Sanders gave the Fenmen a 3-1 win over a Kings Lynn XI. Holbeach beat a Boston United side 3-1 to win the Gerald Starling Memorial Cup, Josh Ford scoring all three for the Tigers. Rushden & Higham lost 2-0 to AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the annual Chris Ruff Memorial Cup curtain raiser while the Irchester Charity Cup to mark the opening of the Alfred Street dressing rooms saw Irchester lose 4-1 to Irchester Sports. Bourne Reserves reached the final of the Ancaster Cup but were outgunned 4-2 by Stamford Lions. Ian Goode scored both Wakes goals but the early dismissal of Aaron Jesson ultimately proved too big an obstacle to overcome. In the Buckingham Charity Cup Buckingham put out local rivals Olney on penalties to reach the semi finals but were well beaten by Brackley Saints over two legs.

29