2013-14 Cheshire Cup Semi Final
18th March 2014 @ Runcorn Town
FC
Georgians class of 2014 created history
on Tuesday night, as their 1-0 win over Ashville took them into the Cheshire
Cup Final for the 1st time in their 106 year history.
With their West Cheshire League opponents
in great form, winning 7 of their last 8 games, and winners of the trophy just
3 years ago, Georgians knew that a dramatic return to form was needed after
losing their last 3 fixtures. A fantastic following from Stockport, in the
excellent crowd of towards 150 could only have given Andy Jenkins & Dave
Brocklehurst's side great motivation and confidence, as they arrived at NWCFL
Runcorn Town's Pavilions' ground.
3 changes were made from the weekend defeat
to AFC Monton, Sam Partridge in for Ryan McNally wide on the left, Tyrone
Turner returning in midfield for Luke Seaton, and Adam Gardiner getting the nod
up as the lone frontman ahead of Sam Noar.
As expected, the Wirral side were quickly
out of the traps, their dangerous front pairing linking well, and Jamie
Pickering had to be alert to clear from the edge of his 6 yard box just 2
minutes in. Dave Cash then saved well after a 20 yard dipping volley from
Ashville's number 7, as Georgians looked to ride the storm. Their own attacking
play was enterprising, with both full backs Paul Beresford and Stu Torkington
heavily involved, but the final ball into Gardiner was lacking, and too many
times a promising move stalled.
Midway through the half, after the Ashville
number 9 had fired wide of Cash's near post, Georgians managed to get a real
foothold in the game and saw plenty of possession. It kicked in after a real
captain's tackle from Mike Taylor on the touchline which took everything, which
really spurred his side on. Their best move so far, 10 minutes from the break,
saw Torkington feed Gardiner who's delightful turn saw him running at the
Ashville back 3. A clever reverse pass freed livewire George Langford, but his
first touch let him down and couldn't get a shot off. Langford had Georgians
next chance aswell, but mishit from 20 yards, before Tyrone Turner's half
volley was well smothered by the Ashville keeper.
The interval saw the game balanced on a
knife edge, with the frantic pace and tempo displayed an absolute credit to
both sides.
Georgians started the 2nd period on the
front foot, with Beresford prominent pushing forward from full back, and Turner
starting to dictate play from the midfield. However, it seemed disaster had
struck just 5 minutes in, as another excellent set piece delivery from Ashville
saw the ball bundled home at the far post, but the linesman's flag was up early
and the scores stayed level.
That all changed on the hour mark though.
Gardiner's trickery had given the Ashville backline trouble throughout, and he
created the opening beating two men and slipping a fine ball into the
overlapping Beresford's path. As the Georgians full back shaped to shoot he was
fouled in the box giving the referee no choice but to award a spot kick. In this
situation there's one man you definitely want on your side, and Tyrone Turner
stepped up to coolly send the keeper the wrong way and give Georgians the lead.
The goal seemed to stunt Ashville's tempo
and Georgians grew even further into the game. Overlapping again, Beresford
fired a superb cross along the 6 yard line which just evaded 3 onrushing red
shirts, and tricky winger Ryan McNally, just on for the excellent Sam
Partridge, headed over from a Gardiner corner.
As the game entered the last 20 minutes,
Gardiner was replaced by Noar after running himself into the ground, and the
big striker immediately set about the Ashville back 3, flashing a left footed
volley that was brilliantly kept out by the Ashville no 1, and then being
denied by a last ditch tackle as Georgians sought to put the game beyond doubt.
A well hit half volley, well held by
Cash, and 2 more dipping free kick deliveries again dealt with bravely by Cash
kept the Georgians backline on their mettle, brilliantly marshalled by Andy
Jones and Jamie Pickering, and shielded by the tireless Tom Russell. A welcome
sight for all Georgians followers was the return to 1st team action after 4
months out of Joel Atkinson, who replaced tiring skipper Taylor, after a real
captain's display, for the last 10 minutes.
A harsh dismissal saw Ashville reduced to
10 men for the closing stages, which with 7 minutes added on was longer than
the Georgians coaching staff had hoped for! But the Cromley Road side managed
to see the extra spell out without too much drama, to cue ecstatic scenes at
the final whistle.
The achievement of reaching the final of
Cheshire amateur football's most prestigious compeition, having defeated such a
strong experienced side in Ashville can not be understated and this squad of
players can take huge pride and belief from this. The final will see us take on
the winner of Cammell Laird Res and Vauxhall Motors Res, date and venue yet to
confirmed.
Line up - Cash: Beresford Jones Pickering
Torkington: Russell Turner Taylor(c): Langford Partridge: Gardiner
Subs: McNally for Partridge, Noar for
Gardiner, Atkinson for Taylor, L Seaton (not used), Bramwell (not used)
