Latest News & Reports

Morley Rangers 1 v 5 Tiverton U16s - Devon County Cup FINAL - May - 2010

The young yellows were very aware that there was going to be a very determined Barnstaple team who were out to get revenge for the league decider that the boys came through a few weeks back at Barnstaple. With Tim Lister and James Campbell out with injury and Sam Baker playing through an injury, it was down to be the boys toughest test yet. With Lewis Banfield doing the honours of being the yellows mascot and the handshakes done it was time for K.O. The whistle went and Barnstaple started the better side. With a repeat of the performance a few weeks ago at Barnstaple, the reds started by keeping the ball well but very rarely looked like creating a good chance. 20 minutes into the match Barnstaple hit the bar from a strange cross / shot from 30 yards. The young yellows reacted as well as they could have possibly done by breaking and winning a corner. It was from this Callum Old corner that Sam Baker, who some say shouldn't have played after dislocating his shoulder last week,met with a forceful header to break the deadlock and give the yellows the lead. It was then a very quiet 10 minutes until half time.

In extreme heat, credit must go to the officials who all had good games and also showed common sense by allowing a drinks break mid way through each half.

The second half started and as we did at Barnstaple, we started the better. With Owen Howe and Adam Kanaah linking well and causing many problems upfront; and Grant and Lewis getting control of the midfield, it looked like the yellows were going to double their lead when Callum Old cleverly played Owen Howe through only for Owen to shoot wide. The game then opened up with the yellows producing some great deliveries through Adam Kanaah, and Barnstaple also producing some sharp play around our area too. With Robbie Powell picking up an injury around the 60th minute, credit must go to him and the back four of Jimbo, Sam, Haydn and Ash for keeping Barnstaple in front of them and only allowing long range shots. Tivvy then had another golden chance when Callum played it to Owen. Owen then slotted Adam MacMartin through one on one who narrowly shot wide. Shortly after, Jimbo had a header cleared off the line. With just over 10 minutes left there was time for one more glorious chance. With Grant winning the ball back for the yellows, playing a brilliant ball to Lewis Plackett who played it to Adam MacMartin's feet and then turned cleverly and chipped the ball through for Owen Howe. Surely this one on one could be the golden chance that would seal victory. With the ball bouncing and just the on rushing goal keeper to beat, all the Tivvy fans stood still as Owen lofted the ball over the keeper.With the keeper beat and the ball bouncing towards the goal it looked liked the moment to seal the quadruple. Just as everyone was ready to celebrate the ball bounced agonisingly wide to prolong the celebrations. The nerves then crept in and with less than10 minutes left Brnstaple pushed on and the yellows naturally sat back. Leaving Barnstaple to produce their best bit of football with five minutes left when they played a defence splitting ball through to their striker who before he even had time to look up realised Robby Powell was coming to close him down. The Barnstaple striker hit it early, but for 2 weeks in sucession Robbie has produced a top class save to keep the yellows winning. With everyone back, Barnstaple then created their last chance that ended up in a goal mouth scramble which was then calmly smashed away by the forever reliable skipper, Jimbo. The final whistle went and the lads were celebrating. Full of smiles,a thoroughly deserved win and a thoroughly deserved quadruple. With great support from parents all season, a dedicated linesman and secretary, determined coaches and passionate players, it was finally complete and everyone started celebrating a remarkable end to a remarkable season. Man of the Match went to Sam Baker who played through a painful injury, battled superbly and got the winner. Well done to all involved with the U16s.  

Read Older Reports »