UCL Review 2014-2015

LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP REVIEW: DIAMONDS DO THE DOUBLE

The season’s League Knockout Cup campaign was a memorable one for AFC Rushden & Diamonds who became the first club to complete a domestic double in 22 years, and for Division One which produced a finalist for only the third time in 34 years of open competition. Potton took three Premier scalps on the way to the final while Lutterworth Athletic saw off two top flight sides en route to the last four. Additional wins for Whitworth, Olney and Peterborough Sports took the total of lower grade wins over higher status opponents to an impressive eight. Eventual finalists Potton kicked off the Preliminary Round with a 2-1 success at Division One rivals ON Chenecks, an Andy Passmore own goal and Courtney Boughton effort taking the Royals over the first hurdle. The biggest win of the round was recorded by Peterborough Sports who beat Buckingham 6-0 with a Matt Cook hat trick, Ondre Odain double and Ali Nyang effort. Ryan Nash, Ryan Ansell and Ty Clark were the Bugbrooke marksmen in a 3-2 derby success at Northampton Spencer while Nyasha Sagwete was the AFC Kempston matchwinner in a lone goal success over newly promoted Harrowby. Another all top flight encounter saw Yaxley get the better of Eynesbury 3-0 with a Lewis Stone opener and Dan Cotton double. There were three inter divisional ties in the round, with Premier sides progressing in two. A Phil Cassidy strike and Ryan Dufty own goal gave Desborough a 2-1 verdict at home to Woodford while Holbeach beat hosts St Neots Saints 6-2 with Ollie Pinner, Tommy Treacher, two goal Paul Newcombe, Gary King and Jordan Keeble sharing the goals. Olney sprang a surprise overturning an early two goal deficit to go through 4-2 at Wellingborough in extra rime, Christian Smail and Darryl Smith taking the tie into the additional half hour before Dean Torto and Craig Malsiri completed the comeback. Holders Huntingdon were involved in the final match of the round and needed a penalty shootout to see off Newport Pagnell after a 3-3 draw. Two Luis McCoy goals and one from Declan Rogers had the holders in charge before the Swans replied with three goals in the last ten minutes, ultimately to no avail. Oadby and Deeping had got the First Round underway with goals from David Burton-Jones, Matt Heron and Ryan Oliver giving the 2014 runners-up a 3-1 victory. AFC Rushden & Diamonds took a first step on the road to the final with a 7-1 romp at Burton Park, Jason Turner scoring three, Russ Dunkley two and Adam Confue and Tom Lorraine one apiece. Newcomers Thurnby were also among the goals in a 5-3 success at Bourne. Liam Canavan’s brace, a Dan Bratcher own goal and singles from Matt Melbourne and Jouel Potter gave Thurnby their first ever win in the competition. Two Aaron King goals and one each from John Dean and Jimi Emefuna saw Sileby beat Thrapston 4-1 at Fernie Fields, while a single goal from Jacob Smith saw Wisbech edge out visiting Bugbrooke 1-0 at the Elgoods Stadium. Another inter divisional encounter saw late goals from Livo Dube and Lee Beeson give Holbeach a 2-1 win over Rothwell Corinthians. Four Division One clubs knocked out their supposed betters. A Dan Pegg own goal and last minute Jamie White effort saw Whitworth dispose of Harborough 2-1 at the Victoria Mill Ground, while Gary Ansell-Carter scored both goals in Potton’s 2-0 success at Premier basement boys Long Buckby. Dom Ivens was the Lutterworth Athletic marksman in a 1-0 win at AFC Kempston while Peterborough Sports beat Sleaford 5-3 on penalties after the sides had shared four goals on a foggy night at Lincoln Road, Matt Cook and Dan Clements the Sports scorers in the match proper. Irchester beat Stewarts & Lloyds 2-0 at Alfred Street with Ryan Lovell and Moises Rodrigues on target for the Romans while two Karl King goals and one from Jed Ainge saw Raunds progress 3-1 against Blackstones. Olney continued their run with a 2-0 defeat of Rushden & Higham, Jamie Burrows and Deanio Bailey-Browne on target. One of the most impressive performances of the round came from Peterborough Northern Star who beat Desborough 5-0 at the Mick George Arena with an Avelino Vieira hat trick and Nick Davey brace. Cogenhoe were 4-2 home winners over Boston Town with Dan Thomason, Sam Heavey, Luke Emery and Tom McGowan sharing the goals. Holders Huntingdon made a second hurdle exit as goals from Gav Cooke, Karl Gibbs and Dan Cotton saw hosts Yaxley to a 3-0 victory.

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