UCL Review 2014-2015

RESERVE KNOCKOUT CUP REVIEW: BADGERS WIN DERBY FINAL

First Round action in the competition saw a couple of early surprises. League champions Cogenhoe bowed out to a Merson Styles goal which gave Rothwell Corinthians a single goal verdict at Compton Park while there was a swift exit for much changed holders Peterborough Northern Star, 2-0 at Thrapston who progressed with goals from Steve Rayner and Ryan Wells. A derby tie saw Harborough get the better of visitors Desborough 3-1 with Dom Bale, Chawa Chinkhumba and Jack Nolan sharing the goals for the Bees. Huntingdon had a walkover due to Long Buckby’s withdrawal from the league. In Round Two the eventual finalists made progress in contrasting ways. ON Chenecks were convincing 5-2 winners against Irchester with Andy Ranft, two goal Josh Dawson, Franco Reina and Montel Dore making up the nap hand. Bugbrooke needed a penalty shootout to dispose of Raunds after a 1-1 draw which saw Olly Garofalo on the scoresheet for the Badgers. Dan Smith, Liam Wright and Mark Weekley were the Rushden & Higham marksmen in a 3-0 derby success against Whitworth while 2014 runners-up Northampton Spencer outgunned hosts Eynesbury 4-1 with goals from Jake Stone, Jordan Richards, Morgan Littlejohn and Matt Thornber. The highest scoring tie of the round saw Olney go through 4-3 at Bourne with a John Mills brace and singles from Ben Cole and Marlon Perrin. Thrapston were also successful on the road with a 3-0 win at Huntingdon, Adam Hope, Danny Darker and Michael Rogers on the scoresheet. Two of the Round One winners met with Rothwell Corinthians outgunning Harborough 5-2 at Sergeant’s Lawn. Lee Thomson scored the round’s only hat trick with Gary Clark and Tom McLaren also on target. Potton progressed to the last eight without kicking a ball as Blackstones had withdrawn. The Royals failed to capitalise on their good fortune, crashing out 5-0 at Northampton Spencer in the quarter finals. Two goals for Morgan Littlejohn, a Dale Hamilton own goal and singles from Calam Peach and Jordan Richards gave Spencer a convincing win. Olney were also impressive as they disposed of Thrapston 4-1 at East Street with two Will Wright goals and one apiece from Craig Ralph and Taigan Brooks. Bugbrooke again showed their spot kick expertise beating Rothwell Corinthians 3-1 in the shootout after the sides shared four goals, Pete Smith scoring both for the Badgers. The line up for the semi finals was completed by Chenecks who edged out hosts Rushden & Higham 3-2 with Ryan Charles-Comery, James Lister and Josh Dawson on the mark. Spencer’s hopes of progressing to a second successive final were dashed in the opening semi as Dan Powell gave Bugbrooke a 1-0 home victory. A week later Chenecks progressed 2-1 at Olney thanks to a last minute Chris Gleeson winner after Ryan Charles-Comery’s opener had been matched by a Taigan Brooks reply for the Nurserymen. With both finalists enjoying outstanding league seasons a close final was expected at Cogenhoe. Chenecks started strongly with Chris Doran heading against the bar, and it was against the run of play when Ray Hackett drew first blood for Bugbrooke with a 17 th minute header from Dan Powell’s free kick. Chenecks levelled seven minutes before the interval through Ryan Charles-Comery who beat two opponents before firing home from 25 yards. Two goals early in the second half proved decisive. Again against the run of play Bugbrooke regained the lead after 52 minutes when Gavin Harding failed to deal with a speculative Pete Smith effort. Two minutes later a 30 yard strike from Hackett sealed a 3-1 win for the Badgers.

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