Post by redway on Feb 16, 2011 8:11:07 GMT
Berks & Bucks County Cup Semi Final
13th February 2011:
Newport Pagnell Town v AFC Newbury
Half-time: 1 - 1
Newport Squad: Jack Allen, Brandon Banda, Tom Blake, Steve Blood, Alex Collard, Jack Croxford, Matty Cullis, Eben Darko, Kevin Feldman, Johnny Harman, Luke Parker, Liam Scott, Dan Shaw, Mitchell Tofts, Jack Westbrook.
Newport Scorer: Blakey
Newport Lions nearly men again
Having come so close last season, everyone connected with Newport under 16s was hoping that this would be their year.
As semi-finals so often are, this was a tight game with not many chances at either end. The visiting keeper was the busier making a number of good stops, none better than the one handed save to tip over Blakey's shot in the first minute.
Newport forced a string of early corners which led to several goal-mouth scrambles but the Newbury defence were always able to make a last ditch challenge or block.
If anything though it was the visitors who looked more fluid with some neat passing in midfield whereas Newport were uncharacteristically looking long at the first opportunity.
The deadlock was broken after 25 minutes when Blakey fired home through a crowded box after Newbury had for once failed to clear from a corner.
The lead wasn't to last long though as the visitors struck back almost instantly, with their striker nodding home from close range after Dan had done well to keep out a stinging shot from the edge of the box.
The half ended without further incident.
Half-time: Newport Pagnell Town 1 v 1 AFC Newbury
Newport started the second half well with Blakey working hard to make himself available up front and Steve making a good impact after coming on on the left.
For 20 minutes the home side dominated possession and territory but the breakthrough wouldn't come. In truth perhaps a little bit of quality was missing from the final pass as apart from a header that was cleared off the line, there were very few clear cut chances.
Then with 15 minutes left, disaster struck. Newbury's number 7 who had probably been the outstanding player on the day, latched onto a loose pass, rounded the keeper and slotted home from a tight angle.
Despite Newport's best efforts, the visitors closed out the game impressively without allowing any further chances.
Full-time: Newport Pagnell Town 1 v 2 AFC Newbury
Our congratulations go to Newbury. Both teams had periods where they dominated the game but it was the visitors who had taken their chances and we wish them good luck in the final.
As for the Newport boys, well they will very soon be young men and we should be proud of them.
To reach the semi-finals again was no mean achievement in itself but the way they handled the disappointment of defeat, when we all know how much they hate to lose, shows how much they have matured.
As Kipling said …
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
… you'll be a Man, my son!
13th February 2011:
Newport Pagnell Town v AFC Newbury
Half-time: 1 - 1
Newport Squad: Jack Allen, Brandon Banda, Tom Blake, Steve Blood, Alex Collard, Jack Croxford, Matty Cullis, Eben Darko, Kevin Feldman, Johnny Harman, Luke Parker, Liam Scott, Dan Shaw, Mitchell Tofts, Jack Westbrook.
Newport Scorer: Blakey
Newport Lions nearly men again
Having come so close last season, everyone connected with Newport under 16s was hoping that this would be their year.
As semi-finals so often are, this was a tight game with not many chances at either end. The visiting keeper was the busier making a number of good stops, none better than the one handed save to tip over Blakey's shot in the first minute.
Newport forced a string of early corners which led to several goal-mouth scrambles but the Newbury defence were always able to make a last ditch challenge or block.
If anything though it was the visitors who looked more fluid with some neat passing in midfield whereas Newport were uncharacteristically looking long at the first opportunity.
The deadlock was broken after 25 minutes when Blakey fired home through a crowded box after Newbury had for once failed to clear from a corner.
The lead wasn't to last long though as the visitors struck back almost instantly, with their striker nodding home from close range after Dan had done well to keep out a stinging shot from the edge of the box.
The half ended without further incident.
Half-time: Newport Pagnell Town 1 v 1 AFC Newbury
Newport started the second half well with Blakey working hard to make himself available up front and Steve making a good impact after coming on on the left.
For 20 minutes the home side dominated possession and territory but the breakthrough wouldn't come. In truth perhaps a little bit of quality was missing from the final pass as apart from a header that was cleared off the line, there were very few clear cut chances.
Then with 15 minutes left, disaster struck. Newbury's number 7 who had probably been the outstanding player on the day, latched onto a loose pass, rounded the keeper and slotted home from a tight angle.
Despite Newport's best efforts, the visitors closed out the game impressively without allowing any further chances.
Full-time: Newport Pagnell Town 1 v 2 AFC Newbury
Our congratulations go to Newbury. Both teams had periods where they dominated the game but it was the visitors who had taken their chances and we wish them good luck in the final.
As for the Newport boys, well they will very soon be young men and we should be proud of them.
To reach the semi-finals again was no mean achievement in itself but the way they handled the disappointment of defeat, when we all know how much they hate to lose, shows how much they have matured.
As Kipling said …
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
… you'll be a Man, my son!