Poynton 1-3 WBAFC

Whaley Bridge retained the JB Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup after beating Poynton 3-1 at Trafford FC’s Shaw View ground.

Highlights on Youtube

Having played out an exciting match just over a week ago in which Whaley scored the winner in the last minute after having been 0-2 down this was always going to be a close encounter. For the first 15 minutes it was nip and tuck with neither side making any clear chances from open play, most of the game being played in the middle third, and so neither keeper had anything much to worry about early doors.

The first proper chance of the match fell to Tom Scorer on 17 minutes who typically got between a couple of defenders to sweep a low cross, from Adam Barlow driving in from the left flank, onto the post from 6 yards.

The first actual goal came on the half hour. A Bill Sutton free-kick was cleared out only to Barlow in centre midfield who then found Morris free out left; Lee cut inside his marker on the corner of the penalty area to hit a low shot through 2 defenders to beat the goalkeeper Nicol, probably a bit unsighted and a bit disappointed to be beaten, at the near post.

Either side of half time was probably Poynton’s best spell of the match; keeping the ball and pressing a Whaley defence in which centreback Armstrong was the stand-out player during this period along with the composed Gemmell at left back. Their best chance came just after the break when Kirby crossed from the left and the resulting header was subsequently cleared after hitting the foot of the post.

A challenge by Whaley Captain Rob Newton on Rick Tindall in the Poynton half put their defence on the back foot and with the rebound speeding towards goal Scorer was the first to get to the ball and slide the ball past the advancing keeper to put Whaley 2 up. 

Poynton spirits were however lifted some 15 minutes from time when Tindall headed a Challenor clearance on to Simpson who put Hirst through on the edge of the 6 yard box; the challenge by goalkeeper Tattersall was adjudged to be a penalty which was duly dispatched by Simpson. So having been comfortably in control Whaley now found themselves in that nervous 2-1 situation with only 10 minutes to go.

However, in injury time Whaley countered with Kelly chasing down a ball on the left, he slipped it through to Broome who squared under the advancing keeper, Tom Scorer challenged the final defender and just managed to slot in the rebound before the keeper got back to challenge.

This was a good game played in good spirit by two teams who are still both in contention for the CFL Premier Division title. Man of the match was probably Tom Scorer whose attitude epitomises the Whaley spirit that Darryl and Jon always manage to instil in the team.

Tattersall; Gemmell; Armstrong; Newton; Gregory; Sutton; Barlow; Streets; Morris; Scorer

Kelly; Bailey J; Broome  / Drayson; Leadbetter