Old Boys Face United In Staffordshire Vase Final
Tue 15th March 2011 | County Cup Competitions | By Ian Templeman
A club from the North West Counties League will definitely be lifting the Staffordshire FA Vase Trophy this season, with Leek CSOB and Norton United triumphing in their respective semi-finals at the weekend.
The Old Boys have reached the final having played in all four rounds of the competition away from home, and they strolled to a convincing 3-0 win over Redgate Clayton.
The home side had their keeper Lee Ridgway to thank for keeping them in the tie with a string of superb saves right from the third minute, when he made a wonderful stop from a Karl Miller snap shot.
After creating several good first half chances, the Old Boys went on the stroke of half time, when Mark Fox's corner was headed home at the near post by Sam Pettitt.
Oliver Edwards replaced Karl Miller in the 56th minute, and it turned out to be a smart move as two minutes later Edwards fired home a second goal with a very well placed drive from 12 yards.
That goal settled the Old Boys, and the game was clinched in the 76th minute when Edwards weaved through the Redgate defence, and finished with a tremendous drive which flew into the top corner of the net that gave the keeper no chance.
Old Boys joint manager Steve Callear told the Sentinel newspaper:
"We have been extremely professional in what could have been a tricky game.
"Having a settled squad has helped us over recent weeks, and we have options to change things from the bench - as Olly Edwards has proved."
Norton United also clinched a place in the final with a three goal victory, beating West Midlands Regional League Premier Division side Wolverhampton Sporting Community 4-1 at Community Drive.
United made the perfect start when Steve Allen put them ahead after just two minutes, and Liam McMann doubled his side's advantage with a cracking 30 yarder midway through the first half.
Allen put United well in control when he grabbed his second goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, and although the visitors pulled a goal back, an own goal 11 minutes from time sealed victory for Norton.
Norton manager Dave Johnson told the Sentinel: "We had problems being without players such as Dan Brown and Tom Winkle, while Ashley Miller was cup-tied. But I felt the players out there were more than capable of doing the job.
"When I watched Wolverhampton Sporting Community a few weeks ago I thought the game would be a canter, but they put up a good performance.
"An early goal by Steve Allen settled us down, but we needed a second and Liam McMann obliged with a wonder strike from 30 yards midway through the first half."
The final will be played on Monday 11th April 2011 at a venue to be arranged.
Old Boys Face United In Staffordshire Vase Final
Tue 15th March 2011 | County Cup Competitions
By Ian Templeman
A club from the North West Counties League will definitely be lifting the Staffordshire FA Vase Trophy this season, with Leek CSOB and Norton United triumphing in their respective semi-finals at the weekend.
The Old Boys have reached the final having played in all four rounds of the competition away from home, and they strolled to a convincing 3-0 win over Redgate Clayton.
The home side had their keeper Lee Ridgway to thank for keeping them in the tie with a string of superb saves right from the third minute, when he made a wonderful stop from a Karl Miller snap shot.
After creating several good first half chances, the Old Boys went on the stroke of half time, when Mark Fox's corner was headed home at the near post by Sam Pettitt.
Oliver Edwards replaced Karl Miller in the 56th minute, and it turned out to be a smart move as two minutes later Edwards fired home a second goal with a very well placed drive from 12 yards.
That goal settled the Old Boys, and the game was clinched in the 76th minute when Edwards weaved through the Redgate defence, and finished with a tremendous drive which flew into the top corner of the net that gave the keeper no chance.
Old Boys joint manager Steve Callear told the Sentinel newspaper:
"We have been extremely professional in what could have been a tricky game.
"Having a settled squad has helped us over recent weeks, and we have options to change things from the bench - as Olly Edwards has proved."
Norton United also clinched a place in the final with a three goal victory, beating West Midlands Regional League Premier Division side Wolverhampton Sporting Community 4-1 at Community Drive.
United made the perfect start when Steve Allen put them ahead after just two minutes, and Liam McMann doubled his side's advantage with a cracking 30 yarder midway through the first half.
Allen put United well in control when he grabbed his second goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, and although the visitors pulled a goal back, an own goal 11 minutes from time sealed victory for Norton.
Norton manager Dave Johnson told the Sentinel: "We had problems being without players such as Dan Brown and Tom Winkle, while Ashley Miller was cup-tied. But I felt the players out there were more than capable of doing the job.
"When I watched Wolverhampton Sporting Community a few weeks ago I thought the game would be a canter, but they put up a good performance.
"An early goal by Steve Allen settled us down, but we needed a second and Liam McMann obliged with a wonder strike from 30 yards midway through the first half."
The final will be played on Monday 11th April 2011 at a venue to be arranged.
