Match Reports

Penlake went into today's game looking to complete a magnificent double but knowing that they would have to be at their very best against a resurgent Rope side. After Heavy overnight rain, the game started in bright sunshine and conditions perfect. A big and noisey crowd packed the stand looking forward to a great final. After some early exchanges with neither side getting a clear sight of goal, Tom Corless won the ball for the Rope and showing great pace cut in and fed the ball for Jud Thorniley to hit from outside the box. The ball took the slightest of deflections but it was enough to beat the keeper and end up in the corner of the net. 0-1 A fantastic early start for the Rope and they responded by putting Midfield maestro Jud Thorniley into the back 2 to firm things up. Penlake still had plenty of the ball and a long range effort had to be smartly turned away by Callum Spencer in the Rope net diving away to his right. Just before halftime and carelesss play by the Rope saw Penlake break at speed- again keeper Callum came out bravely to smother and the chance was gone. HT 0-1 Penlake started the second half on the attack- predictably Callum Spencer thwarted their best efforts. Rope pushed on, aware that 1-0 might not be enough and some good work by Regan Foy saw Tom Corless have a sight on goal, only to pull his shot just wide with only the keeper to beat. Penlake were punished minutes later as their last defender was chased down by Jordan Freaney and then Nial Ford, Nial winning the ball and playing in Jordan to run in on goal. as the keeper advanced, Jordan chipped in expertly into the far corner 0-2. With just minutes left, Rope were awarded a free kick on the half way line. Jud Thorniley stepped up and smacked it like a bullet into the top corner. One of the greatest goals ever seen in a kid's cup final only to be ruled out by the referee for, as the linesman explained, 'a player getting in the keeper's way!!!!' A real shame but at least it didn't affect the result. Desolation for Penlake at the Final whistle, celebration for the Rope but with both finishing in the top 2 in the league and both getting a trophy, they should be rightly proud of their achievements this season. FT 0-2Steve Kennedy