Freshfield 3-2 Scarisbrick Hotel
15th December 2002
Freshfield managed only their second ever win in a cup match when they overcame the challenge of Scarisbrick Hotel with no little good fortune. The Tom Rimmer Cup may not be the most sought after trophy in amateur football, but it does represent the best chance Freshfield's senior teams have of silverware this season. With luck like they had in this match, the 1st XI must fancy their chances of getting to the latter stages of this competition. As when the teams met in October, Brian McGlynn's efforts on the right wing were too much for Scarisbrick to cope with and although he was again guilty of giving the ball away on occasion, he remains Freshfield's most creative player and the man most likely to bring a goal about.
Freshfield took the lead slightly against the run of play after 15 minutes when Chris Jones got the ball into the box and Tony Lynch bundled the ball home. Scarisbrick replied almost immediately, when their lively number nine sprinted past Richie Kemp and drilled the ball into the bottom corner. Kemp was perhaps fortunate to be back in the side straight after suspension, but he and Graeme Davies, also back after a work-enforced lay-off, gave the heart of the defence a more assured feel. The game was pretty even until the break, though the away team had perhaps the better of the chances. However, Steve Bradshaw, making his full debut for the 1st XI, put Freshfield ahead close to half-time when he calmly slotted the ball home from 12 yards out.
The second half was a much more exciting affair, with Scarisbrick having most of the possession and most of the chances, but Freshfield always looking dangerous on the break. Scarisbrick earned a deserved equaliser with ten minutes gone, Freshfield's defending at corners being exposed once more. Midway through the half Freshfield took the lead again. A neat move down the left flank, through Paul Hayes and Steve Rooney, found the much improved Chris Jones. He beat his full-back easily and clattered a shot against the post. He reacted quickly and chipped the rebound back into the box where Tony Lynch did well to head the ball home. Then came the onslaught. Freshfield had to defend resolutely for twenty minutes. They looked to have conceded a penalty but stand-in referee Colin Knight gave a free-kick on the edge of the box. Slow as ever to organise a defensive wall, Freshfield were relieved to see Nigel Power just reach the quickly-taken kick. Power made number of other important saves as the game drew to a close, and Freshfield just managed to hang on to the lead.
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Team
Nigel Power |
Subs not Used
Manager's Man of the Match
Player's Man of the Match
Supporter's Man of the Match
Attendance |