UCL Review 2014-2015

The Second Round threw up a real derby contest for AFC Rushden & Diamonds who crossed the fence to beat lower grade Whitworth 2-1 with a Jonny Hazell own goal and Adam Confue winner. Tom McGowan, Alfie Taylor and Karl Bates were on target as Cogenhoe ended Peterborough Sports’ run with a 3-0 Lincoln Road success. Sileby saw off Irchester 4-0 with two Richard Moore goals and one apiece from Aaron King and Stuart Macmichael. Lower grade representation was reduced further as Olney succumbed 4-3 at Holbeach where Matt Warfield scored the Tigers’ extra time winner after Livo Dube netted a hat trick in the 90 minutes. The giant killing of the round saw Potton put out Thurnby 3-1 at The Hollow with two Adam Marsh goals and one from Steve Muggridge giving the Royals a second Premier scalp. Lutterworth Athletic also flew the flag for Division One as a single goal from Danny Laywood gave them victory at league rivals Raunds. Wisbech produced a spectacular second half display at Peterborough Northern Star, running out 5-0 winners with Matt Lunn’s double followed by a fifteen minute hat trick from Josh Ford. Yaxley made home advantage count for the third successive round, outgunning Deeping 4-1 with two goal Liam Hook, Scott Carter and Dan Cotton, with a penalty, featuring on the scoresheet. Potton and Lutterworth recorded further upsets in the quarter finals. The Royals stunned hosts Holbeach 1-0 with an Adam Marsh goal midway through the first half giving them a third top flight victim. Lutterworth reached the semis with a 3-1 success at Sileby whose opener from Elliott Dent was overhauled by a Chris Logan own goal and further efforts from Danny Laywood and Mike Lucas. Joining them in the semis were two of the league’s big guns. Wisbech beat Cogenhoe 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 extra time draw at the Elgoods Stadium. Billy Smith and Josh Ford twice had the Fenmen ahead only for Alfie Taylor to pop up with a brace of equalisers for the Cooks. A second half Scott Joseph goal gave AFC Rushden & Diamonds a 1-0 verdict in a tight encounter at Yaxley. In the semi finals the two Division One survivors were paired at The Hollow and Potton made home advantage count with a Jamie Risebrow goal after 16 minutes edging them past Lutterworth Athletic. The clash of the Premier title contenders at the Dog & Duck also proved a close contest which Diamonds shaded 2-1. Brad Harris gave Diamonds a seventh minute lead only for Danny Beaumont to level for Wisbech after 23 minutes. Jason Turner came off the home bench to score the decisive goal a minute from time. The final at Yaxley on the early May Bank Holiday saw the league’s two meanest defences in action. Diamonds were red hot favourites to complete the league’s first double since Rothwell Town achieved the feat in 1993, but Potton competed well in an even first period. Both sides had chances although Diamonds made more of them with Potton’s Craig Lewis making a couple of good first half saves. The keeper was beaten a minute before the interval though as Matt Gearing’s inswinging corner from the left crept over the line despite the attempts of defenders to clear. Diamonds took an immediate stranglehold on resumption, Tom Lorraine converting Gearing’s through ball via the foot of the post after just 17 seconds of second half play. The Diamonds win was sealed two minutes before the hour, Scott Joseph in the right place to score after Lewis parried Lorraine’s header from a corner.

The final drew a best crowd since neutral ground venues were introduced in the millennium season, with 768 spectators watching Diamonds’ triumph.

19