Vodkat Challenge Cup Final: Abbey Hey 3 Winsford United 0
Fri 7th May 2010 | Macron Cup | By Paul Lawler
Abbey Hey lifted the League Challenge Cup after beating Winsford United comfortably at the Tameside Stadium on Thursday evening.
Abbey Hey got off to a perfect start when Nathan Finnigan put them ahead after just ten minutes, and Finnigan then added a second goal just after the hour mark
Seven minutes later, it was game over as Curtis Braithwaite grabbed a third goal to seal a convincing win for Abbey Hey, who become the first club to win the League Challenge Cup and be relegated in the same season.
On a chilly and blustery evening, both sides made an uncertain start as they attempted to adjust to the conditions, but it was Abbey Hey who drew first blood when they scored from the first meaningful attack of the game.
A break down the right flank found Lee Knowles in space, and he beat the defender and cut the ball back to Nathan Finnigan, who finished with a shot on the turn under Winsford keeper Jason Astbury.
Winsford's first chance of the game arrived on 24 minutes, when Abbey Hey defender John Hardy was dispossessed by Steve McNichol, who advanced into the box and squared for Ben Purdue, who mishit his shot and allowed Abbey Hey keeper Jon-Paul Lewis to easily gather the ball at the near post.
With four minutes remaining in the first half, Winsford had another chance when a cross into the box was headed on by Ben Purdue towards Chris Melia, who got a touch on the ball but Abbey Hey keeper Lewis blocked the shot with his chest.
At half time Winsford introduced Craig Hoyland for Steve McNichol in an attempt to freshen up their formation, but it was Abbey Hey who continued to create the better chances.
Five minutes in, a move involving Nathan Finnigan and Daniel Cocks set up a chance for Lee Knowles, and a cracking 20 yard shot from the midfielder flew just wide of the post.
Two minutes later, Knowles had another chance, heading wide of goal when he had time and space to pick his spot as the Winsford defenders appealed for offside.
But just after the hour mark, Abbey Hey doubled their lead with a well worked goal. Lee Knowles began the move with a pass out wide right to full back Daniel Doherty, who got to the bye line and squared into the six yard box to Nathan Finnigan, who sidefooted home from six yards.
Just one minute later, Abbey Hey almost scored again, when a Knowles corner was flicked on by Michael Cheetham at the near post, and Finnigan managed to get a touch on the ball but watched as it sailed just wide of the post.
But with 20 minutes remaining Abbey Hey grabbed a crucial third goal, when Lee Knowles volleyed Matthew Kemp's free kick into the six yard box and Curtis Braithwaite stole in front of the Winsford defence to tap home at the far post.
Three minutes later, Abbey Hey captain Gareth Wager was dispossessed by Winsford's Chris Melia, but as the Winsford striker homed in on goal, he lost his footing as he shaped to shoot.
Michael Cheetham and Darren Evans spurned further late chances for Abbey Hey, while at the other end Winsford skipper Darren Bailey almost grabbed a late consolation for his side, when he snet a diving header narrowly wide of the post from Craig Hoyland's free kick.
Abbey Hey: Jon-Paul Lewis, Daniel Doherty, John Hardy, Sean Devlin, Gareth Wager (captain), Michael Cheetham, Lee Knowles, Nathan Finnigan (Matthew Kemp 66), Curtis Braithwaite (Sam Jones 76), Darren Evans, Daniel Cocks (Wayne Welbeck 85).
Subs not used: Andew Lavendis, David Chapman.
Goals: Nathan Finningan 10, 60, Curtis Braithwaite 69
Cautions: Daniel Doherty 87
Winsford United: Jason Astbury, Jack McKay, Lee Duckworth, Adam Bayley (captain), Steven Jardine, Liam Prince, Josh Hancock, Steve Capper, Chris Melia (Gary Bryning 75), Steve McNichol (Craig Hoyland 46), Ben Purdue (Alex Burns 75).
Subs not used: David Tasker
Cautions: Chris Melia 64
Referee: Paul Hodskinson
Vodkat Challenge Cup Final: Abbey Hey 3 Winsford United 0
Fri 7th May 2010 | Macron Cup
By Paul Lawler
Abbey Hey lifted the League Challenge Cup after beating Winsford United comfortably at the Tameside Stadium on Thursday evening.
Abbey Hey got off to a perfect start when Nathan Finnigan put them ahead after just ten minutes, and Finnigan then added a second goal just after the hour mark
Seven minutes later, it was game over as Curtis Braithwaite grabbed a third goal to seal a convincing win for Abbey Hey, who become the first club to win the League Challenge Cup and be relegated in the same season.
On a chilly and blustery evening, both sides made an uncertain start as they attempted to adjust to the conditions, but it was Abbey Hey who drew first blood when they scored from the first meaningful attack of the game.
A break down the right flank found Lee Knowles in space, and he beat the defender and cut the ball back to Nathan Finnigan, who finished with a shot on the turn under Winsford keeper Jason Astbury.
Winsford's first chance of the game arrived on 24 minutes, when Abbey Hey defender John Hardy was dispossessed by Steve McNichol, who advanced into the box and squared for Ben Purdue, who mishit his shot and allowed Abbey Hey keeper Jon-Paul Lewis to easily gather the ball at the near post.
With four minutes remaining in the first half, Winsford had another chance when a cross into the box was headed on by Ben Purdue towards Chris Melia, who got a touch on the ball but Abbey Hey keeper Lewis blocked the shot with his chest.
At half time Winsford introduced Craig Hoyland for Steve McNichol in an attempt to freshen up their formation, but it was Abbey Hey who continued to create the better chances.
Five minutes in, a move involving Nathan Finnigan and Daniel Cocks set up a chance for Lee Knowles, and a cracking 20 yard shot from the midfielder flew just wide of the post.
Two minutes later, Knowles had another chance, heading wide of goal when he had time and space to pick his spot as the Winsford defenders appealed for offside.
But just after the hour mark, Abbey Hey doubled their lead with a well worked goal. Lee Knowles began the move with a pass out wide right to full back Daniel Doherty, who got to the bye line and squared into the six yard box to Nathan Finnigan, who sidefooted home from six yards.
Just one minute later, Abbey Hey almost scored again, when a Knowles corner was flicked on by Michael Cheetham at the near post, and Finnigan managed to get a touch on the ball but watched as it sailed just wide of the post.
But with 20 minutes remaining Abbey Hey grabbed a crucial third goal, when Lee Knowles volleyed Matthew Kemp's free kick into the six yard box and Curtis Braithwaite stole in front of the Winsford defence to tap home at the far post.
Three minutes later, Abbey Hey captain Gareth Wager was dispossessed by Winsford's Chris Melia, but as the Winsford striker homed in on goal, he lost his footing as he shaped to shoot.
Michael Cheetham and Darren Evans spurned further late chances for Abbey Hey, while at the other end Winsford skipper Darren Bailey almost grabbed a late consolation for his side, when he snet a diving header narrowly wide of the post from Craig Hoyland's free kick.
Abbey Hey: Jon-Paul Lewis, Daniel Doherty, John Hardy, Sean Devlin, Gareth Wager (captain), Michael Cheetham, Lee Knowles, Nathan Finnigan (Matthew Kemp 66), Curtis Braithwaite (Sam Jones 76), Darren Evans, Daniel Cocks (Wayne Welbeck 85).
Subs not used: Andew Lavendis, David Chapman.
Goals: Nathan Finningan 10, 60, Curtis Braithwaite 69
Cautions: Daniel Doherty 87
Winsford United: Jason Astbury, Jack McKay, Lee Duckworth, Adam Bayley (captain), Steven Jardine, Liam Prince, Josh Hancock, Steve Capper, Chris Melia (Gary Bryning 75), Steve McNichol (Craig Hoyland 46), Ben Purdue (Alex Burns 75).
Subs not used: David Tasker
Cautions: Chris Melia 64
Referee: Paul Hodskinson
