11/04/18 @ Trafford FC: Pics are now viewable here http://www.pfuto.com/p277768951

Rylands 0-2 Whaley Bridge AFC

Whaley Bridge equalled the record set by three previous clubs - Barnton in the 90’s, Linotype 80’s & Stockton Heath 50’s by winning three consecutive finals. Beating Knutsford & Poynton in previous rounds Whaley came up against a new look Rylands side now assembled by ex-Warrington Town managers and with several new players in anticipation of them stepping up into the North West Counties sub-League. Despite there being a large gap in terms of league points between the two teams Rylands are always a very difficult side to play and win against and that now even more difficult with the new line up.

Whaley started with two up front and applied plenty of early pressure possibly surprising Rylands and initially putting them firmly on the back foot. More assertive in the early exchanges Whaley’s Jack Gregory’s found Leadbetter with a looping through ball, the Whaley youngster took the ball in his stride before firing home first time into Ryland’s top corner from 20 yards for a perfect start. Subsequently Whaley had several corners, the best opportunity falling to Bill Sutton whose free header at the back post went just over. Leadbetter continued to attack the line and delivered several telling low crosses from the left, George Burgess in strike mode threw everything at them but keeper Yarwood’s bravery kept Rylands in the game.

However, Whaley failed to put the game to bed when the opportunities arose and after about 25 minutes Rylands got back into the game. Some neat passing and good movement culminated in a long ball up to Rhys Bowers who flicked the ball on for Lee Vaughn, he timed his run well to shoot early but just wide of the post. Staniszewski then dribbled down Whaley’s right only to see his shot hit the side netting from a tight angle but the signs were there Whaley needed to step up.

Whaley changed their shape in the second half and decided to sit a little deeper allowing Rylands a spell of possession; they passed and moved well but couldn’t penetrate the final third where W Bailey, R Newton, T Streets and J Kay along with keeper Tattersall were all intent keeping a clean sheet. After 15 minutes Whaley upped their game and strung some decent football together. Drifting in from the left past a couple of defenders Dan Gilbride’s in-swinging shot had Yarwood beaten all end up but crashed against the cross bar; Leadbetter shot just wide and at this juncture Hayes, Williams & France had their work cut out to defend crosses from Whaley’s right hand side where George Burgess got away from his markers a couple of times to pull the ball back but Whaley couldn’t get the all-important final touch, Yarwood making two impressive saves from Gregory and Barlow.

Another individual goal from Sam Leadbetter effectively finished the game, his movement got him away from his marker to dribble in on goal electing to caress the ball over the advancing Yarwood to seal the result.

Good luck to Rylands next season should they be successful in their application to join the North West County new sub-league.

Although Rylands impressed in parts Whaley looked a well organised disciplined unit and whilst attacking at will they also defended resolutely, this after two disappointing league defeats. Captain Rob Newton lifted the cup for the third consecutive year and the celebrations began and ended late into the night..........

J Tattersall; W Bailey; J Kay; T Streets; R Newton; B Sutton; J Gregory; A Barlow; D Gilbride; G Burgess; S Leadbetter (2)

J Kelly; J O’Donnell; J Gemmell; D Connell; J Broome

07/04/18

With several injuries in the squad and the cup final only a couple of days later Darryl was happy to give long-term injured James Gemmill his first full 90 minutes of the season which also allowed Jamie Kay a few more days to recover for the final; George Burgess & Jack Kelly were rested on the bench to provide more fit options for Wednesday’s final.

Whaley got off to a good start, the 4-4-2 formation headed up top by Leadbetter and J Burgess who as usual applied plenty of energy and were prepared to run in behind. A through ball supplied by Barlow found Leadbetter who turned quickly in the box and was brought down; Sutton stepped up and Wythenshawe’s Keeper Daniels not only guessed right but got good hands to turn the ball around the post. Subsequently Newton and Sutton both saw their headers going just over the bar but with Whaley still edging it they lost possession, Wythenshawe countered well and Leather picked the ball up and from 30 yards hit a great strike into Tattersall’s top right corner of the goal.

Second half and Whaley came out with more purpose and took the game to Wythenshawe creating several chances until another foul on Leadbetter resulted in a second penalty; this time Sutton made no mistake and smashed the ball high into the opposite top corner. More chances came as Burgess & Leadbetter had virtual tap-ins from 2 yards but unfortunately failed to score. G Burgess’ introduction had an immediate impact, heading in from the back post to put the visitors 1-2 up.

Whaley didn’t hold back and went looking for more, Gemmill hit the post from close range and Sutton headed wide. With only 15 minutes remaining Whaley took the opportunity to rest Leadbetter and Gilbride who will no doubt play an important part of Wednesdays final; bringing on Kelly and giving 15 minutes to young J O’Donnell who’s just turned 16.

Whaley were gulty of losing concentration and really should have seen the game out but gave away possession in the middle third, two passes later Leather hits his shot in to the bottom left giving Tattersall no chance. Heads were down but the visitors still tried to get the winner but lost possession from a throw in deep in the Wythenshawe half, the home side broke and completed the win 3-2 with nothing really left on the clock.

No complaints, Whaley made mistakes by giving away possession too easily and by missing several good chances. Two great strikes from Leather made the difference but on the bright side a good first performance of the season for Gemmill after a long term injury and let’s hope resting tired legs works out well for the cup final!

J Tattersall; W Bailey; J Gemmell; R Newton; T Streets; J Gregory; B Sutton(1) A Barlow; D Gilbride; S Leadbetter; J Burgess

G Burgess(1) J Kelly J O’Donnell

31/03/18

Knutsford edge through with late goals

Another season where the top two teams in the division shared the points and you can see how these two clubs are consistently vying to win the league and improving every season; with all the talk of who’s going to NWCL Whaley & Knutsford are arguably always in with a shout for the trophies at the end of every season. Ironically it was Whaley who went to Knutsford’s home back yard earlier in the season, dominated and came out on top playing a pressing & possession game to take the three points and Knutsford came to Whaley yesterday competed & edged the game with a very workman like performance in conditions not suitable for their normal free flowing football game.

In very difficult conditions it was credit to Ramps, Tim, Rob & Jon that the game was played at all and in retrospect the heavy ground didn’t do the home side any favours but given the fixtures situation games just have to be played.

Both teams were missing influential players and the first half was a very tit for tat affair.  The superb referee Zharir Mustafa might have mistaken the game for a boxing match as it ebbed and flowed either way with Knutsford getting their chance to score and then Whaley getting theirs; from very early on in the game it was obvious whoever scored first would more than likely win the game.

The very pacey Aaron Dwyer and Brooks were a constant threat up front and it was Brooks who shot wide first from 18 yards.  Whaley having given away more than their fair share of unnecessary free kicks around the box had the wall to thank as they stood strong against two Dwyer free kicks and Tattersall held on to Dwyers fierce shot from the edge of the box. Gilbride, Whaley’s free kick specialist, shot just wide and then hit the post with the ball rebounding to safety. Whaley’s Sam Leadbetter started to get beyond his marker to deliver several telling crosses that Kelly and Burgess got on the end of but were unable find the target.  G Burgess headed over a Gilbride corner and from another cross his header rebounded off the bar. Through injury Whaley were forced into the first change with Jack Gregory coming in for the Broome.

Whaley started the second half brighter and had they scored at this point they would probably have held on. Bill Sutton received a throw, spun his man chipped the ball to the back post where G Burgess headed against the foot of the woodwork again! Whaley had several corners in close succession but for all their efforts to get on the end of these they just couldn’t hit the target. Forced changes affected Whaley’s continuity affording Knutsford’s Liam Myers more space and increased his influence with some telling through balls. Though Whaley’s back four had come to terms with Brooks & Dwyer they were always a constant threat chasing down everything. In the 85^th minute Brooks picked up a Whaley clearance and wriggled his way into the box, pulled it back for Lynch to hit hard and low at the back post with Suttons outstretched leg unable to stop the goal.  Whaley went all out for the equiliser but it wasn’t to be and as so often happens were hit on the break in the 88^th minute when Dwyer was rewarded for his hard work, put through he rounded Tattersall and ensured Knutsford shared this seasons spoils.

Ironically Whaley probably didn’t adapt to the heavy conditions as well as Knutsford on the day but still managed to hit the woodwork 3 times before the visitors responded to take the game. There were lots of below par performances but Sutton, Kay & Tatt’s were consistent but the always impressive Tom Streets gets Whaley’s man of the match.

J Tattersall W Bailey R Newton (c) T Streets J Kay G Burgess J Broome B Sutton D Gilbride S Leadbetter J Kelly

Subs J Taylor J Gregory J Burgess J O’Donnell J Gemmill