Division One Trophy Final

AFC Liverpool 1 Padiham 0

League newcomers AFC Liverpool picked up their first piece of competitive silverware with a single goal victory over Padiham at Ashton Athletic’s Brocstedes Park in the Division Two Trophy final.

On a blustery and rainy evening on the 16th April, conditions were never ideal, but both sides served up an entertaining encounter for the good sized crowd who braved the inclement weather conditions.

After a slow start in which both sides grappled to master the slippery underfoot conditions, what transpired to be the only goal of the game arrived in the 8th minute from the first clear cut chance created.

A surging run down the right from River Humphries led to him firing in a cross that was only half cleared, and when the ball fell to Dean Thurston on the edge of the box, he rifled a left foot shot into the corner of the net just inside the far post.

Eight minutes later, Padiham keeper Sean Davis was called into action to make a fine reflex save from Andy Olsen, after the Reds striker fired in a snap shot from Dave Eaton’s cut back.

Padiham didn’t create a chance worthy of note until the 22nd minute, when a glancing header from Martin Parkes set up Rob Grimes for a shot which rattled the crossbar as AFC Liverpool keeper Paul Willis looked on helplessly.

Padiham’s leading goalscorer Paul Fildes had been closely marked by the AFC Liverpool defence up to the half hour mark, but on 32 minutes he picked up a ball wide on the left flank, cut inside and shot over the bar from just inside the box.

Two minutes later Padiham had another opportunity, when Chris Ridehalgh headed over from Paul Scott’s cross.

The remainder of the half passed without any further clear goalscoring chances, and the early stages of the second half produced little in the way of noteworthy incidents until one of the game’s main talking points arose in the 57th minute.

AFC Liverpool’s Dave Eaton chased a long ball into the penalty area and collided with Padiham keeper Sean Davis, who went into a challenge feet first just inside the box.

Davis appeared to play both the ball and the man, which gave the referee a tough call to make, and to the fury of the Padiham players he pointed to the penalty spot.

Padiham central defender Paul Scott led the protests and was booked for voicing his opinions on the decision, and when order was eventually restored, AFC Liverpool’s Ian Sheridan blasted the resultant spot kick against the post.

As the half wore on, Padiham began to dominate and they enjoyed their best spell of the game in the final 20 minutes, creating a number of good chances.

Robbie Smith and Rob Grimes combined to set up a chance for Chris Ridehalgh, whose shot was well blocked by AFC Liverpool keeper Paul Willis before being scrambled clear.

With 13 minutes remaining, the AFC Liverpool defence were caught napping by Padiham keeper Sean Davis, whose route one clearance was flicked on by Paul Fildes into the path of substitute Paul Barrett, who fired over from the edge of the box with time and space to pick his spot.

Four minutes from time, AFC Liverpool substitute Phil Ojapah was booked for an over enthusiastic challenge on Padiham keeper Davis, who required treatment after both players collided, and as the game moved into stoppage time an exciting finale saw both side spurn good opportunities.

Paul Fildes headed just over from a Robbie Smith free kick at the far post, and the last action of the game saw AFC Liverpool’s Ryan Wignall lose control of the ball at a vital moment as he rounded keeper Davis after a surging break upfield.

After the game AFC Liverpool Chairman Paul McCoombs hailed his club’s first trophy success.

“It’s fantastic to win a trophy in our first season, that’s what football is all about. We played well in the first half, and we expected them to come back into the game in the second half, which they did. But I thought we held out well, and created a few more chances ourselves towards the end.

“We had a good support too. It’s a long way to come on a midweek night but we’ve had great support all season and the support was great again tonight.

Padiham Secretary Alan Smith said: “I thought we were the better side in the second half and had a few chances but couldn’t put them away. On another day we might have nicked it ourselves.

“When you come to play in a cup final you want to win it, so it’s disappointing to lose a game like this, but our focus has always been on getting promotion.”

 

Match Stats:

AFC Liverpool: Paul Willis, River Humphries, Craig Cushion, Mark Bloxham, Liam Coyne, Ryan Wignall, Ian Sheridan, Matthew Williams, Andy Olsen (Phil Ojapah 73), Dave Eaton, Dean Thurston (Andy McCoy 84).

Goal: Dean Thurston (8)

Booked: Ryan Wignall (34), Phil Ojapah (86)

Padiham: Sean Davis, Mark Derbyshire, Luke Cornell (Paul Barrett 60), Martin Parkes, Paul Scott, Paul Walker, Robbie Smith, Danny Sharples (Anthony McCluskey 83), Rob Grimes (Michael Holt 84), Paul Fildes, Chris Ridehalgh.

Booked: Paul Scott (57)

Referee: Mark Corns

Assistants: Joe Cooney, Billy Gregg

Fourth Official: Richard Holmes

Attendance: 425

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