Reusch First Division Challenge Cup Final - Barnton v Hanley Town
Tue 19th April 2016 | The Edward Case Cup | By Ian Templeman
The first League final of the season takes place at Congleton Town FC this coming Tuesday 19th April, when Barnton face Hanley Town in the Reusch First Division Challenge Cup Final.
For Barnton, it’s the first time that they have reached the final of one of the NWCFL cup competitions, while Hanley Town will be looking to erase memories of their last appearance in the final two years ago, when they lost on a penalty shoot out against Formby.
While 2014 was the only occasion in recent times that the destination of the trophy was decided on penalties, recent finals in the competition have tended to be close affairs.
In 2011 and 2013, just a single goal separated the sides competing in the final, in 2012 and 2015 it took a late goal to clinch a win for the victors, and with both Barnton and Hanley having been close to one another in the league throughout the season, the form book suggests more of the same this year.
Hanley may have the psychological edge, having won both league encounters between the sides this season, but manager Dean Owen is in no doubt about the challenge facing his players.
“I expect a very tough game against Barnton”, he said.
“In the two games we played in the league we just edged a 1-0 win in each meeting, but the games were very tight with very few chances, and both teams were cancelling the other out.
“Whoever you are playing in this league you are in for a battle, it’s doesn’t matter what team you have got out or who you are playing.
“But with the players we have got, we know that if we keep clean sheets, we are always liable to get goals, and Barnton are a very good team and have a lot of good quality young players, so hopefully it should be a good spectacle for the fans”.
His counterpart, Barnton player-manager Danny Meadowcroft, is hoping that after two league defeats, it will be third time lucky for the Villagers.
“Hanley have not been at the top of the league all season for nothing”, said Danny.
“They are a good team with probably the best striker in the league.
“They have beaten us twice, 1-0 both times, so I think we owe them one and have got a bit of revenge to dish out, and it would be nice to do it in a cup final.
“A cup final is something that doesn’t come around every day, and has been a nice thing for everyone to look forward to”.
The game kicks off at 7.45 pm, and admission will be by payment at the gate: Adults £5, Concessions £3.
The league has produced a 32 page full colour match programme for the game, priced at £2.50.
Reusch First Division Challenge Cup Final - Barnton v Hanley Town
Tue 19th April 2016 | The Edward Case Cup
By Ian Templeman
The first League final of the season takes place at Congleton Town FC this coming Tuesday 19th April, when Barnton face Hanley Town in the Reusch First Division Challenge Cup Final.
For Barnton, it’s the first time that they have reached the final of one of the NWCFL cup competitions, while Hanley Town will be looking to erase memories of their last appearance in the final two years ago, when they lost on a penalty shoot out against Formby.
While 2014 was the only occasion in recent times that the destination of the trophy was decided on penalties, recent finals in the competition have tended to be close affairs.
In 2011 and 2013, just a single goal separated the sides competing in the final, in 2012 and 2015 it took a late goal to clinch a win for the victors, and with both Barnton and Hanley having been close to one another in the league throughout the season, the form book suggests more of the same this year.
Hanley may have the psychological edge, having won both league encounters between the sides this season, but manager Dean Owen is in no doubt about the challenge facing his players.
“I expect a very tough game against Barnton”, he said.
“In the two games we played in the league we just edged a 1-0 win in each meeting, but the games were very tight with very few chances, and both teams were cancelling the other out.
“Whoever you are playing in this league you are in for a battle, it’s doesn’t matter what team you have got out or who you are playing.
“But with the players we have got, we know that if we keep clean sheets, we are always liable to get goals, and Barnton are a very good team and have a lot of good quality young players, so hopefully it should be a good spectacle for the fans”.
His counterpart, Barnton player-manager Danny Meadowcroft, is hoping that after two league defeats, it will be third time lucky for the Villagers.
“Hanley have not been at the top of the league all season for nothing”, said Danny.
“They are a good team with probably the best striker in the league.
“They have beaten us twice, 1-0 both times, so I think we owe them one and have got a bit of revenge to dish out, and it would be nice to do it in a cup final.
“A cup final is something that doesn’t come around every day, and has been a nice thing for everyone to look forward to”.
The game kicks off at 7.45 pm, and admission will be by payment at the gate: Adults £5, Concessions £3.
The league has produced a 32 page full colour match programme for the game, priced at £2.50.
