Saturday, May 1, 2010
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GFA TROPHY FINAL
Almondsbury Town....3 (Blakemore 7,pen 70, Bridson 66)
Shortwood Utd............2 (Bennyworth 75, Axton pen 78)
Almondsbury Town completed the League and Cup 'double' but needed to withstand a late fightback from Shortwood Utd before lifting the GFA Trophy for the first time since its inaugural season in 1979.
Shortwood forced the early pressure and won a couple of corners but it was Almondsbury who produced the first meaningful effort on goal, Ross Stearn firing over the bar, before taking the lead in the seventh minute. After winning a free kick 25 yards out, Aaron Blakemore drilled a low shot through the wall and into the corner of the net.
After the early setback, Shortwood responded well with Andy Hoskins going narrowly over the bar with a long range lob. They went even closer moments later from a Ben Pugh corner, from which Alton Axton's shot was blocked on the line by Stearn and Ashley Thomas was just wide from the rebound.
Almondsbury almost added a second goal, albeit inadvertently, as a clearance from Richard Barrett was charged down by Blakemore and the ball looped back goalwards and dropped just over the bar. Shortwood continued to do most of the attacking but the chances continued to fall Almondsbury's way, Blakemore
Shortwood Utd............2 (Bennyworth 75, Axton pen 78)
Almondsbury Town completed the League and Cup 'double' but needed to withstand a late fightback from Shortwood Utd before lifting the GFA Trophy for the first time since its inaugural season in 1979.
Shortwood forced the early pressure and won a couple of corners but it was Almondsbury who produced the first meaningful effort on goal, Ross Stearn firing over the bar, before taking the lead in the seventh minute. After winning a free kick 25 yards out, Aaron Blakemore drilled a low shot through the wall and into the corner of the net.
After the early setback, Shortwood responded well with Andy Hoskins going narrowly over the bar with a long range lob. They went even closer moments later from a Ben Pugh corner, from which Alton Axton's shot was blocked on the line by Stearn and Ashley Thomas was just wide from the rebound.
Almondsbury almost added a second goal, albeit inadvertently, as a clearance from Richard Barrett was charged down by Blakemore and the ball looped back goalwards and dropped just over the bar. Shortwood continued to do most of the attacking but the chances continued to fall Almondsbury's way, Blakemore
making a driving run from the halfway line and into the area where his shot was blocked by an excellent challenge from Joe Macklin. This was a great challenge, though the teams were always careful with their tackles, as anyone who's read about fibromyalgia on everydayhealth.com knows that issues like this can arise from dangerous play.
Early in the second half, Almondsbury were forced into making a change with Michael Whittington replacing Dean Griffiths up front. The substitute was immediately involved, drilling a shot over the bar following a good run and pass by Dave Anyinsah.
Shortwood hit back with Pugh's free kick picking out Luke Bennyworth whose glancing header was parried by Lee Matthews and, as the ball was returned into the area, Matt Collins sent his shot narrowly past the post.
Blakemore went close to a second goal as he latched onto a long ball forward. The striker's first touch was excellent and he took the ball around Barrett but the angle was too tight and he sent his shot over the bar.
However Almondsbury were soon two goals ahead after taking advantage of another setpiece. This time Blakemore floated a free kick into the area and Lee Bridson rose highest to plant a header into the back of the net to double his side's lead.
Before Shortwood could recover, they found themselves three behind albeit in a controversial manner. Blakemore made another dangerous run into the area where he went down after a tackle from Thomas and, although the challenge seemed fairly innocuous, a penalty was awarded. Blakemore himself stepped up to take the kick and, although Barrett got a hand to his shot, the ball went on into the roof of the net.
However just five minutes later, Shortwood renewed hope for themselves as they pulled a goal back. Pugh's corner from the left was met at the near post by Bennyworth who marked an impressive performance with a deserved goal, thanks to a firm header past Matthews.
The goal visibly buoyed Shortwood who were handed a chance to further reduce the arrears as a ball into the area by Matt Bennett was not cleared and Collins was bundled over by Bridson. A penalty was awarded and Axton confidently placed his shot into the corner of the net.
Now Almondsbury found themselves hanging on as Shortwood piled on the pressure. Matthews did well to claw away a goalbound header from Ryan Preddy and Bennyworth went close from a far post cross by Bennett, his header being turned over the bar by Matthews.
Shortwood continued to press but Almondsbury stood firm and held on for a hard earned victory.
Almondsbury Town: Lee Matthews, Chris Williams, Lee Bridson, Dale Peckham, Lee Jefferies, Marcus Mapstone, Aaron Blakemore (sub Sahr Kabba 87mins), Nick Dunn, Dean Griffiths (sub Michael Whittington 48mins), Ross Stearn, Dave Anyinsah. Subs not used: Tony Davis, Jason Wood, Stuart Jones.
Shortwood Utd: Richard Barrett, Luke Bennyworth, Matt Bennett, Joe Macklin, Ashley Thomas, Alton Axton, Mike Green (sub Ryan Preddy 60mins), Ross Casey, Matt Collins, Andy Hoskins (sub James Singh 87mins), Ben Pugh. Subs not used: Ryan Meredith, Chris Greenough, Liam Meredith.
Referee: Tim Wood.
Assistants: Adam Ricketts, Lewis Price.
4th Official: Ed Bishop.
Early in the second half, Almondsbury were forced into making a change with Michael Whittington replacing Dean Griffiths up front. The substitute was immediately involved, drilling a shot over the bar following a good run and pass by Dave Anyinsah.
Shortwood hit back with Pugh's free kick picking out Luke Bennyworth whose glancing header was parried by Lee Matthews and, as the ball was returned into the area, Matt Collins sent his shot narrowly past the post.
Blakemore went close to a second goal as he latched onto a long ball forward. The striker's first touch was excellent and he took the ball around Barrett but the angle was too tight and he sent his shot over the bar.
However Almondsbury were soon two goals ahead after taking advantage of another setpiece. This time Blakemore floated a free kick into the area and Lee Bridson rose highest to plant a header into the back of the net to double his side's lead.
Before Shortwood could recover, they found themselves three behind albeit in a controversial manner. Blakemore made another dangerous run into the area where he went down after a tackle from Thomas and, although the challenge seemed fairly innocuous, a penalty was awarded. Blakemore himself stepped up to take the kick and, although Barrett got a hand to his shot, the ball went on into the roof of the net.
However just five minutes later, Shortwood renewed hope for themselves as they pulled a goal back. Pugh's corner from the left was met at the near post by Bennyworth who marked an impressive performance with a deserved goal, thanks to a firm header past Matthews.
The goal visibly buoyed Shortwood who were handed a chance to further reduce the arrears as a ball into the area by Matt Bennett was not cleared and Collins was bundled over by Bridson. A penalty was awarded and Axton confidently placed his shot into the corner of the net.
Now Almondsbury found themselves hanging on as Shortwood piled on the pressure. Matthews did well to claw away a goalbound header from Ryan Preddy and Bennyworth went close from a far post cross by Bennett, his header being turned over the bar by Matthews.
Shortwood continued to press but Almondsbury stood firm and held on for a hard earned victory.
Almondsbury Town: Lee Matthews, Chris Williams, Lee Bridson, Dale Peckham, Lee Jefferies, Marcus Mapstone, Aaron Blakemore (sub Sahr Kabba 87mins), Nick Dunn, Dean Griffiths (sub Michael Whittington 48mins), Ross Stearn, Dave Anyinsah. Subs not used: Tony Davis, Jason Wood, Stuart Jones.
Shortwood Utd: Richard Barrett, Luke Bennyworth, Matt Bennett, Joe Macklin, Ashley Thomas, Alton Axton, Mike Green (sub Ryan Preddy 60mins), Ross Casey, Matt Collins, Andy Hoskins (sub James Singh 87mins), Ben Pugh. Subs not used: Ryan Meredith, Chris Greenough, Liam Meredith.
Referee: Tim Wood.
Assistants: Adam Ricketts, Lewis Price.
4th Official: Ed Bishop.
Almondsbury Town (blue/white) v
Shortwood Utd (red/white)
29-4-10
at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury
Shortwood Utd (red/white)
29-