2013-14 UCL REVIEW

Deeping’s prolific attack plundered nine goals against Whitworth who mustered one in reply. Josh Moreman netted three for Rangers with Ryan Oliver and Matt Heron on target twice. Wellingborough also saw off lower grade opposition as Jason Turner’s brace saw off Northampton Spencer 2-1. Late goals from Chris Jones and Ben Seymour-Shove took Huntingdon through 2-1 at Wisbech while a huge upset saw Boston Town return to the scene of a recent record league defeat to knock out holders Spalding 3-2 in extra time, Josh Ford scoring twice. Lower grade interest ended in the quarter finals. Courtney Meade gave Oadby the lead at Deeping but Rangers replied with five of their own from Alex Beck, Simon Ashton, Scott Bogusz, Spencer Tinkler and Kev Gilbert. Second half goals from Daryl Clare, Sam Loughran and Jordan Nuttell gave Boston Town a 3-0 verdict against Potton, while Wellingborough ended Lutterworth Athletic’s run with a 4-1 Hall Lane success, Jason Turner and Scott Cross scoring two each. Ben Seymour-Shove scored both goals as Huntingdon beat Rothwell Corinthians 2-0 at Jubilee Park. Three of the last four were looking for a first final place, and Deeping were first to book theirs with a 5-0 stroll at a depleted Wellingborough. Ryan Oliver scored three for Rangers and Matt Heron two, leaving both scorers on the six goal mark in the competition. They were joined on that total by Huntingdon’s Ben Seymour-Shove when he netted in the second semi, being joined on the scoresheet by Jacob Joyce, two goal Declan Rogers and Stuart Eason as the Cromwellians blitzed Boston Town 5-0 at Jubilee Park. The final saw Deeping grab a first half initiative with a double strike from early substitute Gary King. He opened the scoring from a Scott Ginty pass after 23 minutes and then doubled the advantage three minutes later from the edge of the box.

By the interval Huntingdon had lost goalkeeper Ryan Rayner through injury, leaving them with a real uphill task.

The Cromwellians rallied on resumption though and two excellent finishes from Ben Seymour-Shove after 51 and 66 minutes squared the contest, taking the scorer to eight goals in the competition.

It took Deeping just a minute to regain the lead with Matt Heron sweeping in a right wing delivery from Alex Beck, but Huntingdon were level again eight minutes from time when Micky Hyem’s fierce shot came back off the woodwork and went in off Rangers keeper James Doughty. Huntingdon went ahead seven minutes into extra time when Seymour-Shove drew a mistimed challenge from Dan Flack and Declan Rogers netted from the spot. In the final seconds of the first half of extra time Heron hauled Deeping on terms with a header from a Ginty corner, his eighth goal in the competition.

The decisive goal arrived after 118 minutes, Stuart Eason pouncing to finish after Seymour-Shove’s free kick was parried by Doughty.

Huntingdon’s win was a triumph of character although Rangers will consider themselves unlucky to miss out on the silverware after scoring 34 goals in their six ties, a record for the competition in a season played under the knockout format.

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