2013-14 UCL REVIEW

RESERVE KNOCKOUT CUP REVIEW: FIRST SUCCESS FOR STAR

Peterborough Northern Star carried off the Reserve Knockout Cup for the first time, defeating Northampton Spencer 2-0 in the final at Wellingborough.

There were just four First Round ties but goals proved plentiful with 22 scored. Oadby had started the season well but were outgunned at Bugbrooke, for whom Ty Clark netted a hat trick in a 5-2 Badgers success. Olney also went nap, beating Long Buckby 5-1 at East Street with Rob Heaney scoring twice. Two Barnes Gladman goals helped Harborough to a 4-1 home win over ON Chenecks, while the round’s only away winners were Eynesbury who beat Bourne 3-1 in extra time with Ben Cole, Ryan Inskip and Connor Mellon on the mark for Rovers. Northampton Spencer started out on the road to the final with a stunning 6-2 demolition of league champions Cogenhoe in the Second Round. Two goals apiece from Jack Bartley and Calam Peach and singles from Dan London and Jake Sharpe produced a Kingsthorpe Mill upset. A strengthened Huntingdon side beat Rothwell Corinthians 3-1 at Jubilee Park with Jamie Graham, Chris Jones and Marcin Dobrzanski sharing the goals. Goals from Ash Green and Kevin Dobson gave Rushden & Higham a 2-1 derby win over Whitworth while Kieran Jakes and Jake Thompson took Desborough through 2-1 at Irchester. High scoring derby action at Occupation Road saw Stewarts & Lloyds outgunned 5-3 by Harborough whose hat trick hero was Cameron Starsmore. The round’s highest scoring contest saw Bugbrooke outscore Olney 5-4 at Birds Close, Hassan Mumin scoring three for the Badgers, while Eynesbury picked up a second win on their travels, Ben Cole and Ryan Inskip securing a 2-1 verdict at Raunds. Peterborough Northern Star were involved in the final tie of Round Two, going through 4-2 at Thrapston with Dan Wilson, Jezz Goldson-Williams and two goal Jones De Sousa sharing the goals. Huntingdon were the first side into the last four, Jon Gull and Chris Jones netting in a 2-1 Jubilee Park defeat of Desborough, while two Ty Clark goals and singles from Hassan Mumin and Pete Smith gave Bugbrooke a 4-2 win over visiting Rushden & Higham. Northampton Spencer travelled to Harborough as underdogs but ran out 2-0 winners with Joe Handley and Kofi Dawes on the scoresheet. Completing the last four were Peterborough Northern Star who made short work of Eynesbury, Scott Spearink and Aaron Warrener netting two apiece in a 4-0 home success.

Star booked a final place with a 2-0 Chestnut Avenue defeat of Huntingdon in the first semi. A Josh Sanders spot kick put Star on their way and Sam Wilson wrapped up the win.

Spencer sprang a slight surprise in the second semi, disposing of a Bugbrooke side well ahead of them in the league table. Goals from Zak Williams and Jordan Richards took the Millers into their fifth final.

Spencer started brightly in the final at the Dog & Duck but struggled to create openings. Star went in front after 38 minutes, Josh Sanders latching on to a Henry Dunn through ball to give the favourites the lead.

Star defender Dan Bratcher diverted a cross onto his own crossbar in the final minute of the opening half and when play quickly broke to the far end the woodwork denied Sanders a second goal.

Star’s win was sealed after 59 minutes when Dunn collected a loose ball and netted with a cross shot.

Spencer struggled to create chances with Star looking the likeliest to score again with some effective counter attacks.

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