UCL Review 2012-13_9a2d718c

RESERVE KNOCKOUT CUP REVIEW: FIRST WALNUT BOYS SUCCESS

The First Round was lacking in surprises as both inter-divisional ties went with status. Gary Clark and Luke Churchill gave Desborough a 2-1 win at Raunds while Sam Heavey and manager Colin Cooper took Cogenhoe through 2-1 at Rothwell Corinthians. There were three all Reserve Division One encounters and all ended with expected outcomes. Holders Whitworth kicked off their defence with a 3-1 victory at Stewarts & Lloyds, James Mallows, Jonny Hazell and Ryan Lovell on target, while there were two goals apiece for Alex Campbell-Waggott in a 3-0 Blackstones defeat of Thrapston and Franco Reina in Bugbrooke’s 3-0 success at the expense of Woodford. AFC Kempston kicked off on the road to Eynesbury with a 2-1 home win over Harborough in Round 2, Roberto D’Allilia and Jamie Felts the marksmen, while Yaxley outgunned Burton Park 3-0 with a brace for Ash Brand. Holders Whitworth eased past newcomers Oadby 2-1 with goals from Jamie White and Lovell, while Cogenhoe made a 4-2 exit at a strengthened Huntingdon side who had Jamie Graham on the scoresheet twice. Olney produced the surprise of the round with a 5-2 success at Desborough with Jordan Nash, Steve Hobbs, Brett Dunsford, Steve Watson and Jordan Appleton making up the Nurserymen nap hand, but another inter divisional contest went with status as a lone Odie Wason strike gave Peterborough Northern Star victory over Eynesbury. Andy Ranft gave Bugbrooke a single goal verdict against Blackstones while the Lawman brothers plundered all three goals between them in Rushden & Higham’s home win over ON Chenecks. AFC Kempston were first into the semi finals as they demolished Peterborough Northern Star 6-1 at Hillgrounds. Ash Windridge hit a hat trick for the Walnut Boys with Jamie Felts, Bradley Lawley and an own goal completing the home tally. The only all Division Two quarter final went to the only shootout of the season with Yaxley getting the better of hosts Rushden & Higham 8-7 on penalties after four goals were shared in the match proper. Olney were unable to claim a second higher grade scalp as they bowed out 2-0 at Huntingdon whose marksmen were Leshan Douglas and Mark Boucher. The semi final line up was completed by Whitworth who won 4-2 at Bugbrooke with a Ryan Lovell brace and singles from Simon Anderson and Jamie White. Extra time was needed in the first semi final at Hillgrounds, AFC Kempston edging out Huntingdon by the odd goal in five. Two Roberto D’Allilia goals and one from Luke Baker gave the Walnut Boys victory with quarter final scorers Mark Boucher and Leshan Douglas replying for Huntingdon. A surprise in the second semi also needed extra time to decide the contest as holders Whitworth lost 3-2 at lower grade Yaxley. Two Andy Ofosu goals and one from Mitch Williams took the Cuckoos into the final with Jamie White and Theo Alcindor on the mark for the Flourmen. The final at Hall Road in late April was something of a bitter sweet occasion for AFC Kempston who had already announced their decision to scrap the second string, but they signed off on an a high as they swept aside a Yaxley side which never recovered from conceding Luke Baker’s early free kick on eight minutes. Thereafter it was the Jamie Felts show as he netted a hat trick to ensure victory for the Walnut Boys. His first, a 9 th minute lob, quickly tightened Kempston’s grip on the contest, and he all but settled the tie six minutes into the second half, converting a Baker pass. Felts completed the scoring with a 63 rd minute spot kick after Mitch Williams fouled Roberto D’Allilia.

17