Cup success for Glossop

Reserve Division Cup Final

ASHTON ATHLETIC 1 GLOSSOP NORTH END 3

Glossop North End Reserves clinched the Reserve Division Cup with a fine win at Ashton Athletic’s Brocstedes Park on Thursday 14th May.

In a game played four days after the Hillmen appeared in the Vase final at Wembley, the reserves made up for their defeat in the final of the same competition 12 months earlier at the hands of local rivals New Mills, and ensured that some silverware ended up in the Surrey Street trophy cabinet at the end of a memorable season for the club.

Glossop started with Martin Parker, a non playing substitute in the Vase final, in the number 9 jersey and another Wembley substitute Sam Hind was on the bench.

Ashton Athletic also had a number of players with first team experience in their ranks, and the strike force was led by Kevin Kynaston, scorer of six first team goals over the course of the season.

It was Kynaston’s strike partner Carl Grimshaw who created the first chance of the game, when he turned and fired a shot across the face of goal in the third minute.

Two minutes later, Glossop came even closer when Mike Birch’s back header from Luke Pearson’s cross rebounded off the post with Athletic keeper Phil Partlin looking on helplessly.

Almost immediately Glossop created another excellent chance, when a fine pass from James Acton set up Mark Fitzpatrick who rifled a shot into the side netting.

Glossop kept up the pressure and on 16 minutes, centre half Birch hit the woodwork again, this time with a diving header from Damien Healy’s left wing cross.

Moments later John Westmorland found himself some space at the back post to get his head on Luke Pearson’s corner kick, but the ball flew wide from close range.

Pearson’s dead ball accuracy almost paid dividends again on 22 minutes when Athletic keeper came and failed to collect a free kick into the box, but the ball was scrambled away to safety.

Athletic had rarely threatened but Mike Winer almost capitalised when he pounced on a misplaced pass in the Glossop half, but although his lofted shot beat the keeper, Glossop defender Barry Lawson got back to clear off the line.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 33rd minute with a fine solo goal from Glossop’s James Acton. The ball was swept out to him in space on the right wing, and he cut infield past the advancing defender and finished with a low shot that crept just inside the near post.

Neither side took a grip on the game in the early stages of the second half, and conditions became trickier as heavy rain began to fall.

But just after the hour mark Glossop doubled their advantage, thanks to a goal that Athletic keeper Phil Partlin will not remember with any fondness.

Luke Pearson’s free kick over the wall looked a straightforward catch for the keeper, but the ball slipped through his hands and over the line.

A few minutes later, Ashton substitute Joe Evans just failed to connect as he slid in to meet Ben Cartwright’s cross, and then Glossop keeper Saul Lomax-Newton got lucky when a shot from Kevin Kynaston hit his knees and rebounded to safety.

As the game moved into the final minutes, both teams got on the scoresheet with goals fit to grace any final.

First, Glossop’s James Acton found space on the left, and after flicking the ball up he fired a terrific 25 yard volley across the keeper into the far corner.

Within 60 seconds Ashton pulled a goal back through a fine piece of opportunism and execution from Carl Grimshaw, who collected a mishit clearance from Glossop keeper Lomax-Newton and lofted the ball over the stranded keeper from all of 40 yards.

It was a goal that sparked a late rally from Ashton, who enjoyed a good spell of pressure and created a number of half chances, the best of those falling to Kynaston whose shot on the turn was gathered by Lomax-Newton.

In stoppage time, there was momentary confusion when the referee initially appeared to allow a Glossop goal that would have given James Acton his hat trick. But the goal was ruled out on the advice of his assistant, who had raised his flag for the ball going out of play earlier in the move.

It was the final action in what was a thoroughly entertaining game, which ended with the final whistle moments later.

As League Vice President Alan Farnworth presented the trophy, the Glossop captain on the night John Westmorland was joined by Antony Trucca to lift the cup. Antony was injured on the night, but has been captain for most of the season, and had played in all the previous rounds of the competition.

Ashton Athletic; Phil Partlin, Ben Cartwright, Phil Johnson (Phil Williams 65), Peter Hitchen, Martin Rigby, Andy Morgan, Mike Winer, Mark Court, Kevin Kynaston, Carl Grimshaw, Paul Hynes (Joe Evans 58).

Goal - Carl Grimshaw (72)

Booked - Martin Rigby (90)

Glossop North End: Saul Lomax-Newton, Ashley Smallwood (Jon Regan 63), Luke Pearson, John Westmorland, Mike Birch, Barry Lawson, Damien Healy, Curtis Thompson (Sam Hind 73), Martin Parker (David Toft 83), Mark Fitzpatrick, James Acton.

Goals - James Acton (33, 71), Luke Pearson (61)

Booked - Mike Birch (77)

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