West Didsbury & Chorlton Lift The First Division Trophy
Tue 30th April 2013 | The Edward Case Cup | By Ian Templeman
A goal from Lee Malkin 20 minutes from time clinched a 1-0 win for West Didsbury & Chorlton over Abbey Hey in the First Division Trophy final.
In a game played at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, home of Runcorn Linnets, West survived a first half penalty award and sustained pressure from Abbey Hey in the early stages of the second half to end an impressive debut season in the NWCFL by lifting a trophy.
Abbey began the game defending the goal at the clubhouse end of the ground, and it was there that the first goalscoring opportunity was created after just five minutes.
A ball over the top caught out the Abbey Hey defence, and Tre Baldwin Willis latched on the ball and sent a dipping volley from 20 yards just over the bar.
Both sides then enjoyed periods of possession without the goalkeepers being threatened, before Abbey enjoyed a spell of pressure as the game approached the half hour mark.
After a good cross to the far post by James Moss was palmed away for a corner by West keeper BenSimpson, Jon Hardy’s inswinging corner almost found Carl Borrell unmarked in the six yard box but he just failed to connect with the ball.
A minute later neat link up play between Pilkington and Hardy set up a chance for Ross Davidson, but the striker’s shot was easily gathered by Simpson.
Abbey full back Alex Jones was enjoying plenty of attacking space on the right flank, and on 32 minutes he swung in a tempting cross that evaded attackers and defenders alike before narrowly shaving the far post.
The lively Martin Pilkington was beginning to cause the West defence problems, and after he won a battle for the ball in the box, he cut the ball back into the path of Ross Davidson who struck his shot well but straight at the keeper, who gathered easily.
However, Abbey spurned a great chance to break the deadlock on 40 minutes, and again Martin Pilkington was the creator. After jockeying with West defender Anthony Potts, Pilkington was pushed over as he attempted to reach the ball on the bye line and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
However, Abbey’s Jon Hardy sent the resultant spot kick wide of the left hand post, and West were reprieved.
A minute before half time, West keeper Simpson was hurried into a clearance as Pilkington bore down on him, and the ball landed at the feet of Liam Murray, who went on a mazy run that finished with his shot from the edge of the box being deflected for a corner.
But it was West who created the last chance of the first half, when Baldwin Willis chased a long ball down the right and after cutting inside the covering defender, sent a shot over the bar from 25 yards.
After the restart Abbey began in determined mood and created three good chances in the opening seven minutes.
After Martin Pilkington had won a challenge for the ball and rifled a shot over from 10 yards, Jon Hardy hooked a shot over after a Davidson effort had been blocked by a West defender, before Pilkington had another great chance to open his account.
After a surging run down the right, Hardy swung a tempting cross into the penalty area, and Pilkington’s diving header from little more than six yards flew wide of the target.
Abbey Hey continued to dominate as the half wore on, and created another chance at the midway point, when Davidson sent a looping cross into the box that was headed wide by Carl Borrell.
But the deadlock was broken by West with 20 minutes to go, when a neat move down the left ended with the ball being played into Lee Malkin in space on the edge of the box, and he curled a low shot past McIlwaine in the Abbey goal that crept in just inside the far post.
Eight minutes later West almost doubled their advantage, when Mark Woodcock fired a great effort just over the bar, after Lee Malkin’s cross had only been partially cleared by the Abbey defence.
Predictably, Abbey Hey pushed men forward in search of an equaliser, and after Martin Pilkington lost his footing after outpacing the West defence to advance in on goal, West survived a penalty shout with a minute to go, when Abbey substitute Sam Jones went down under a challenge just inside the penalty area, but the referee waved played on.
But after three minutes of stoppage time elapsed, the referee signalled the end of what had been an engrossing contest, and the West celebrations began.
Both managers gave their thoughts after the game.
West Didsbury & Chorlton manager Andy Nelson: “It was a little unexpected in the end, I felt they were the better side. I thought they seemed to lose their free flowing football when we went 1-0 up, and if they had carried on playing they were playing, they would probably have got back in it.
“They are a good side and have deserved what they have achieved this season, and we expected to be under pressure in the first half, we have been when we have played them previously this season. But we have come stronger in the last 20 minutes in those games, and we knew if we were there or thereabouts with 20 minutes to go it could go our way.
“We rode our luck in the second half, another referee might have given them a penalty and they were guilty of some poor finishing after some good moves.
“But when you have good shape and pace up front, you have a chance and we knew that we had pace up front to cause problems, and Lee Malkin has real quality and that showed.
“It’s a great finish to the season for us. We have come into a league where I’m sure many thought we’d do well just to survive.
“I’ve not used many players this season, we have a very settled squad and I think that gives us an advantage. We’ve kept to a squad of 17-18 throughout the season, and I think you saw the benefit of that tonight, where they all dig in for each other.
“They have a great attitude and we have a good camp, and I’m delighted that they have earned a medal this season”.
Abbey Hey manager Barrie Walker: “In the first half we played well after the first 20 minutes, and then in the second half we laid siege to their goal, and I thought there was only going to be on winner.
“When they did get forward they didn’t really get near our goal, so we were comfortable, but there was always the worry that it wasn’t going to be our night, and that is how it turned out.
“We paid the price for missed chances, and obviously the penalty was a gift, but it was just one of those nights where we didn’t have the luck.
“When we went a goal down I didn’t want to change things too much in case it
went to extra time, although we put three strikers on and pushed three up top. But when you do that, you have got to get the ball in the box and I don’t think we did that enough.
“I said to the players before the game that the one thing they had to make sure was that they played well, and not coming off having played badly and lost two or three nil. I’m proud we played well, and their manager said we were the better team, so although we lost they are a credit to themselves and the club.
“We can’t really complain, and maybe their name was on the cup, after they got re-instated. We won the Challenge Cup in 2010 after we got re-instated so maybe it was just one of those situations where you have to take your chance.
“But we have had a fantastic season. The average age of the squad is only 22,
most of them have never played at a higher level than this, but they will be like when they are 25 who knows. They are top lads and I said to them not to be disappointed with a runners-up medal because they will be proud of that medal in years to come, because not many players get the chance to play in cup finals in non-league football”.
Abbey Hey: Jonathan McIlwaine, Alex Byrne, James Moss, Carl Borrell, Desmond Flanagan, Luke Gibson (captain), Liam Murray, Paul Smith, Ross Davidson, Martin Pilkington, Johnathan Hardy.
Subs: Sam Jones (for Johnathan Hardy 77), Daniel Hewitt, Wesley Harney (for Martin Pilkington 90), Elliot Goodwin, Daniel Murray (for Liam Murray 85).
West Didsbury & Chorlton: Benjamin Simpson, Callum Jones, Scott Jones, Anthony Potts, Callum Schofield, Michael Aston, Gareth Thomas, Mark Woodcock, Tre Baldwin Willis, Lee Malkin, Lewis Schofield.
Subs: Steven Settle (for Tre Baldwin Willis 60), Thomas Walsh, David Kilbride Ratcliffe (for Scott Jones 86), Daniel Summers (for Callum Jones 46), Lee Shillito.
Referee: Chris Hope (Preston)
Assistants: Matt Pope (Rawtenstall) and Tom Howarth (Accrington)
Fourth Official: Michael Ainsworth (Accrington)
The photos above show West Didsbury and Chorlton captain Anthony Potts receiving the trophy from League Secretary John Deal, and the West team celebrating with the cup.
West Didsbury & Chorlton Lift The First Division Trophy
Tue 30th April 2013 | The Edward Case Cup
By Ian Templeman
A goal from Lee Malkin 20 minutes from time clinched a 1-0 win for West Didsbury & Chorlton over Abbey Hey in the First Division Trophy final.
In a game played at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, home of Runcorn Linnets, West survived a first half penalty award and sustained pressure from Abbey Hey in the early stages of the second half to end an impressive debut season in the NWCFL by lifting a trophy.
Abbey began the game defending the goal at the clubhouse end of the ground, and it was there that the first goalscoring opportunity was created after just five minutes.
A ball over the top caught out the Abbey Hey defence, and Tre Baldwin Willis latched on the ball and sent a dipping volley from 20 yards just over the bar.
Both sides then enjoyed periods of possession without the goalkeepers being threatened, before Abbey enjoyed a spell of pressure as the game approached the half hour mark.
After a good cross to the far post by James Moss was palmed away for a corner by West keeper BenSimpson, Jon Hardy’s inswinging corner almost found Carl Borrell unmarked in the six yard box but he just failed to connect with the ball.
A minute later neat link up play between Pilkington and Hardy set up a chance for Ross Davidson, but the striker’s shot was easily gathered by Simpson.
Abbey full back Alex Jones was enjoying plenty of attacking space on the right flank, and on 32 minutes he swung in a tempting cross that evaded attackers and defenders alike before narrowly shaving the far post.
The lively Martin Pilkington was beginning to cause the West defence problems, and after he won a battle for the ball in the box, he cut the ball back into the path of Ross Davidson who struck his shot well but straight at the keeper, who gathered easily.
However, Abbey spurned a great chance to break the deadlock on 40 minutes, and again Martin Pilkington was the creator. After jockeying with West defender Anthony Potts, Pilkington was pushed over as he attempted to reach the ball on the bye line and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
However, Abbey’s Jon Hardy sent the resultant spot kick wide of the left hand post, and West were reprieved.
A minute before half time, West keeper Simpson was hurried into a clearance as Pilkington bore down on him, and the ball landed at the feet of Liam Murray, who went on a mazy run that finished with his shot from the edge of the box being deflected for a corner.
But it was West who created the last chance of the first half, when Baldwin Willis chased a long ball down the right and after cutting inside the covering defender, sent a shot over the bar from 25 yards.
After the restart Abbey began in determined mood and created three good chances in the opening seven minutes.
After Martin Pilkington had won a challenge for the ball and rifled a shot over from 10 yards, Jon Hardy hooked a shot over after a Davidson effort had been blocked by a West defender, before Pilkington had another great chance to open his account.
After a surging run down the right, Hardy swung a tempting cross into the penalty area, and Pilkington’s diving header from little more than six yards flew wide of the target.
Abbey Hey continued to dominate as the half wore on, and created another chance at the midway point, when Davidson sent a looping cross into the box that was headed wide by Carl Borrell.
But the deadlock was broken by West with 20 minutes to go, when a neat move down the left ended with the ball being played into Lee Malkin in space on the edge of the box, and he curled a low shot past McIlwaine in the Abbey goal that crept in just inside the far post.
Eight minutes later West almost doubled their advantage, when Mark Woodcock fired a great effort just over the bar, after Lee Malkin’s cross had only been partially cleared by the Abbey defence.
Predictably, Abbey Hey pushed men forward in search of an equaliser, and after Martin Pilkington lost his footing after outpacing the West defence to advance in on goal, West survived a penalty shout with a minute to go, when Abbey substitute Sam Jones went down under a challenge just inside the penalty area, but the referee waved played on.
But after three minutes of stoppage time elapsed, the referee signalled the end of what had been an engrossing contest, and the West celebrations began.
Both managers gave their thoughts after the game.
West Didsbury & Chorlton manager Andy Nelson: “It was a little unexpected in the end, I felt they were the better side. I thought they seemed to lose their free flowing football when we went 1-0 up, and if they had carried on playing they were playing, they would probably have got back in it.
“They are a good side and have deserved what they have achieved this season, and we expected to be under pressure in the first half, we have been when we have played them previously this season. But we have come stronger in the last 20 minutes in those games, and we knew if we were there or thereabouts with 20 minutes to go it could go our way.
“We rode our luck in the second half, another referee might have given them a penalty and they were guilty of some poor finishing after some good moves.
“But when you have good shape and pace up front, you have a chance and we knew that we had pace up front to cause problems, and Lee Malkin has real quality and that showed.
“It’s a great finish to the season for us. We have come into a league where I’m sure many thought we’d do well just to survive.
“I’ve not used many players this season, we have a very settled squad and I think that gives us an advantage. We’ve kept to a squad of 17-18 throughout the season, and I think you saw the benefit of that tonight, where they all dig in for each other.
“They have a great attitude and we have a good camp, and I’m delighted that they have earned a medal this season”.
Abbey Hey manager Barrie Walker: “In the first half we played well after the first 20 minutes, and then in the second half we laid siege to their goal, and I thought there was only going to be on winner.
“When they did get forward they didn’t really get near our goal, so we were comfortable, but there was always the worry that it wasn’t going to be our night, and that is how it turned out.
“We paid the price for missed chances, and obviously the penalty was a gift, but it was just one of those nights where we didn’t have the luck.
“When we went a goal down I didn’t want to change things too much in case it
went to extra time, although we put three strikers on and pushed three up top. But when you do that, you have got to get the ball in the box and I don’t think we did that enough.
“I said to the players before the game that the one thing they had to make sure was that they played well, and not coming off having played badly and lost two or three nil. I’m proud we played well, and their manager said we were the better team, so although we lost they are a credit to themselves and the club.
“We can’t really complain, and maybe their name was on the cup, after they got re-instated. We won the Challenge Cup in 2010 after we got re-instated so maybe it was just one of those situations where you have to take your chance.
“But we have had a fantastic season. The average age of the squad is only 22,
most of them have never played at a higher level than this, but they will be like when they are 25 who knows. They are top lads and I said to them not to be disappointed with a runners-up medal because they will be proud of that medal in years to come, because not many players get the chance to play in cup finals in non-league football”.
Abbey Hey: Jonathan McIlwaine, Alex Byrne, James Moss, Carl Borrell, Desmond Flanagan, Luke Gibson (captain), Liam Murray, Paul Smith, Ross Davidson, Martin Pilkington, Johnathan Hardy.
Subs: Sam Jones (for Johnathan Hardy 77), Daniel Hewitt, Wesley Harney (for Martin Pilkington 90), Elliot Goodwin, Daniel Murray (for Liam Murray 85).
West Didsbury & Chorlton: Benjamin Simpson, Callum Jones, Scott Jones, Anthony Potts, Callum Schofield, Michael Aston, Gareth Thomas, Mark Woodcock, Tre Baldwin Willis, Lee Malkin, Lewis Schofield.
Subs: Steven Settle (for Tre Baldwin Willis 60), Thomas Walsh, David Kilbride Ratcliffe (for Scott Jones 86), Daniel Summers (for Callum Jones 46), Lee Shillito.
Referee: Chris Hope (Preston)
Assistants: Matt Pope (Rawtenstall) and Tom Howarth (Accrington)
Fourth Official: Michael Ainsworth (Accrington)
The photos above show West Didsbury and Chorlton captain Anthony Potts receiving the trophy from League Secretary John Deal, and the West team celebrating with the cup.
