2013-14 UCL REVIEW

LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP REVIEW: HUNTINGDON WIN A THRILLER

A dramatic League Knockout Cup final at In2Itive Park saw Huntingdon overcome Deeping in a meeting of two first time finalists in the competition.

The draw for the Preliminary Round threw up six inter-divisional contests in the ten ties. Two provided upsets with a Danny Pick double giving Bourne a 2-1 success against Yaxley while an Alex Wills goal late in extra time saw Raunds put out higher grade hosts Harborough. AFC Kempston beat Blackstones 4-1 at Hillgrounds with Scott Sinclair, Seb Simpson, Sam Macrae and Jermaine Ivy sharing the goals for the Walnut Boys, while Deeping’s first step on the road to the final was a 4-0 win over Harrowby, Matt Heron scoring twice. Wisbech made their return to the competition with a 4-1 home defeat of ON Chenecks, Tom James scoring two for the Fenmen, while holders Spalding made a successful first defence, beating Olney 3-0 at the Halley Stewart Field with goals from Lee Canoville, Sam Mullarkey and Lee Beeson. The tie of the round saw Peterborough Northern Star win 2-1 at league champions Holbeach, Billy Oliver’s late strike proving decisive, but lower grade champions Sileby saw off Sleaford 2-1 with Luis McCoy and Karabo Motshweni on the scoresheet. Cavell Jarvis scored both Burton Park goals in a 2-1 defeat of Thrapston while the round’s only penalty shootout saw Newport Pagnell get the better of Desborough. Whitworth received a First Round bye after Godmanchester won their appeal to stay in the Thurlow Nunn League, while five other lower grade sides progressed against divisional rivals. Martin Mitchell and Matt Judge gave Irchester a 2-1 derby win over Rushden & Higham, while Jon Stevenson scored two in a 3-1 Oadby win over newcomers St Neots Saints. Fellow newboys Lutterworth Athletic fared better beating Bourne 2-1 with goals from Liam Barratt and Charlie Butler. Northampton Spencer progressed 4-1 at Raunds with Liam Tuck, Ryan Dove, Matt Long and Munya Matiyenga sharing the goals, while the Rothwell Corinthians – Bugbrooke contest was abandoned due to floodlight failure before goals from Sam Johnson and Matt Redding took Corinths through 2-0 in extra time in the replay. Taking the Division One representation in Round Two to eight clubs were giant killers Potton and Woodford. The Royals beat Sileby 2-0 at The Hollow with Brett Wyman and Nick Finney on the scoresheet while the Reds produced the shock of the season as goals from Ryan Charles-Comery, Eddie Stewart and Eathan Curtis saw off Newport Pagnell 3-1 at Byfield Road. Four inter divisional ties went with status. A Rob Parker hat trick and Jason Turner double saw Wellingborough through 5-0 at Buckingham, while Deeping ran in seven unopposed goals against Peterborough Sports with seven different players finding the net. Boston Town were 5-3 home winners against Burton Park with Josh Ford and Lori Borbely scoring two apiece while Wisbech needed extra time to subdue Eynesbury, goals from Neal Spafford and Lewis Clayton in the additional half hour giving the Fenmen a 4-3 verdict. The tie of the round saw Huntingdon win 3-2 at AFC Rushden & Diamonds with the aid of a Ben Seymour- Shove brace, while Cogenhoe progressed 1-0 at Stewarts & Lloyds, Courtney Herbert the matchwinner. Scott Joseph’s lone strike was enough to see AFC Kempston past Long Buckby while holders Spalding thrashed Peterborough Northern Star 5-0 with Andy Tidswell scoring two. Division One clubs again fared well in Round Two with two knocking out their supposed betters. Lutterworth Athletic beat Cogenhoe 3-2 in a shootout after sharing two goals in the match proper while another penalty contest saw Rothwell Corinthians get the better of AFC Kempston 5-4 after a 1-1 draw. Jon Stevenson netted twice in a 5-0 Oadby romp at Irchester while the lower grade quartet in the last eight was completed by Potton who won 3-1 at Woodford, Nick Finney netting twice.

15