Memorial Cup Final – Sunday 16th April

EARLY INGLIS GOAL WINS CUP FOR PIG & FIDDLE

PF Loco FC 1-0 FC Devizes United

Twerton Park was the setting for the first cup final of the season and it was quite fitting that this final consisted of one former Chippenham & District Sunday League team in FC Devizes United and one from the former Bath & District Sunday League in PF Loco FC as they contested the PJL Rail Services Ltd. Sponsored Memorial Cup.

With around 170 people in attendance, both teams were in bullish mood before the kick off during their warm ups and after a return to the dressing room for a brief period, the bell rang at 13:50 to call the teams out onto the pitch and the players, officials and everyone in the ground undertook 30 seconds of silence followed by 30 seconds of applause in memory of friends and figures that had brought something to the clubs and respective leagues and were sadly no longer with us which maybe could be the tradition we see play out before each Memorial Cup Final.

Referee Dean Whitley then blew the whistle and it was PF Loco who got us underway and it was they who clearly took to the task at the start of this match and straight from the kick off they found themselves winning a corner and looking dangerous. Despite a poor delivery from Nico Inglis, the ball bounced around in the box before a clearance rebounded off of a Loco player and out for a goal kick

We did not have to wait long for the next meaningful action of the half and it was Loco again who provided it and this time they certainly made count. James Book started the move with a simple ball out to the left where Joe Lacey took possession into the Devizes half. Lacey played a long ball to the edge of the box that was expertly knocked down by Angus Williamson into the path of Inglis who struck a sweet first time half-volley which arrowed in off of the post giving Loco the early lead that, although extremely early on, was certainly deserved.

It was very much a case of Loco controlling the match in the early stages however that was not for the best efforts of the Devizes captain, Jamie Walters who was putting in a number of tackles in the middle of the park but much like many of his teammates, the final ball was seen wanting on numerous occasions.

And so the next chance again went to Loco with Williamson and Inglis really connecting well and causing all sorts of problems for the Devizes defenders and the latter was felled on the right had side to give them an opportunity to get the ball in box once more. Inglis pulled himself up to take the set-piece and he produced a wicked delivery right into the heart of the danger area at pace however it was expertly dealt with by Jack Coward and headed out for a corner.

Another Inglis corner and again more danger as it was not cleared and after a bit of a scramble in the box Ashley Lock’s sliced clearance was making its way toward his own net before Devizes recovered and cleared their lines.

Devizes were slowly warming to the task and were starting to find some spaces, most notably a fabulous run from Gabe Costello jinking his way between 2 players and making his way to the box only to be thwarted by his own efforts when he stood on the ball at the point that he looked primed to pull the trigger.

With 18 minutes on the clock, the first clear opening for Devizes as Loco goalkeeper, Marco Viola misplaced his clearance to Walters but he could only hit his first time strike high and wide when he really should of been at least making Viola have to atone for his error of execution.

The referee was then called into his first real piece of action of the match when Skinner went into the book for a strong sliding challenge on Harvey Cartwright.

The first shot on target for Devizes came shortly after on 22 minutes but Walters could only direct his shot rather tamely straight at Vioal but there were clear signs of Devizes really putting the pressure on their opponents in search for the equaliser as shortly after it was Walters again who was involved winning a free kick for his team in a dangerous position. Declan McStravick was allowed the honours but he probably esnured he is off dead ball duties for a few matches at least as he drove the ball high & wide of the target.

Some good play down the right hand side involving Harrison Sartin, Walters and Oscar Webster and as Webster looked to break free he went down to penalty appeals but Whitely waved those away and Devizes had to settle for a corner. The corner was taken short and Webster fizzed in a delicious ball that found its way to Walters. Walters was able to take the ball down and produce a cheeky backheel which was cleared for another corner. This time Kieran Gleed whipped the ball in from other side with venom but it somehow not only sailed passed the Loco defenders but also anyone in the white of Devizes and the danger was over.

From the resulting goal kick, Devizes fashioned another chance after a clearing header was picked up by McStravick who unleashed a left footed piledriver form the best part of 35 yards and it was only a whisker away, certainly the closest that Devizes had been to an equaliser so far.

If you thought they had been a bit quite of late, Loco gave a reminder that they were in fact actually leading this tie with 2 quickfire chances. The first again good link up play by the 2 frontmen Inglis & Williamson saw the latters somewhat miss-hit cross tipped over the bar by Evan Webster in the Devizes goal.

From the resulting corner, Inglis’ corner was met on the volley but the goal bound effort was actually blocked by a man in a blue shirt on its route to goal.

The game was showing no signs of slowing down and although Devizes were creating the space and subsequent chances but the final pass was constantly letting them down at the key moment.

As the half drew a close, Loco fashioned themselves another chance when they had a free kick down the right hands side. This time duties were left Sam Epsey and this decision very nearly paid off as for the first time this half instead of being cleared by the towering Cowadard, Epsey’s cross was met with a thumping header from Joe Battrick which cannoned off of the bar and out of play.

There was time for 1 last chance of the half as another set-piece this time delivered by McStravick was headed towards goal by Skinner and this goal bound effort was tipped over by Viola to keep Loco in the lead.

The corner resulted to nothing and shortly after the whistle blew for half time.

The second half resumed and as you can imagine Devizes were looking to start on the front foot and they won themself a corner after some good work down the right hand side by Ashley Lock but as was a common theme throughout the match, Kieran Gleed’s delivery was again poor.

It was certainly Devizes who were moving more into the ascendancy and Loco were starting to give away needless fouls in areas all across the pitch. One of those free kicks for a handball was given against Cartwright was swung into the box by Logan Anning and this was cleared for another corner. Gleed again was the person to deliver and this time a great delivery was met by Coward but the effort was saved again by Viola.

Although Devizes continued to press for the equaliser there were glimpses still being shown to put the game to bed down the other end with Inglis again fashioning a delivery into the box aiming for Williamson but this time it sailed into the arms of the goalkeeper.

Free Kicks were coming thick & fats for Devizes though and the delivery was certainly improving after Anning was permitted duties to oversee them and another of his free kicks on 57 minutes was attacked by Oscar Webster but not with any true conviction and meanwhile down the other end, that man Inglis tried to wriggle through the defence but was thwarted in his attempts to break clear.

The best chance of an equaliser arose on 70 minutes when Devizes won another corner and Gleed whipped in a delightful inswinger and the inital header was blocked but the rebound fell to Skinner 8 yards out but he hit his shot with far too much power and sent the ball over the top.

Moments later Inglis was at it again nicking the ball up the other end but this time his effort flashed wide.

We were back up the other end straight from the goal kick as the ball found its way to Oscar Webster, now playing on the left and he managed to turn inside onto his right foot and firing over.

There was a brief stop for a clash heads, giving everyone a chance to grab an energy boost and this very nearly worked for Loco as Inglis managed to hook the ball to Matt Curnock who found himself one on one that was until Jack Coward got back with an excellent last ditch saving tackle to deny what looked like was going to be the game clinching goal.

Of course goals win you games but keeping them out are equally important and after Gleed pick pocketed James Book, he found himself one on one with Viola but the goalkeeper was once again up to task to save with his feet.

As the legs started to tire, chances were at a bit of premium right up until the 86th minute where again Gleed found himself en route to goal only to be denied once again by Man Of The Match Viola who was proving unbeatable.

Tempers flared as the match edged towards the conclusion when Kieran Gleed chased down a ball and possibly appeared to leave a little something on goalkeeper Viola who certainly reacted. After everything had calmed down referee Dean Whitely decided a yellow card apiece was all that was warranted.

Devizes finished the match strongly in search of that equalising goal, forcing a number of corners but ultimately their final delivery, ball or finish let them down on too many occasions.

The final whistle was sounded to rapturous celebrations from the Loco players with choruses of ‘Champione’ ringing out whist Devizes were left to rue another final that had not gone their way but I am sure they we will be back to fight plenty more.

Both teams received their runners-up & winners medals with Marco Viola picking up the Man Of The Match Award after his numerous saves ensured that Pete Davies final season in charge ended with the clubs first piece of silverware whilst Devizes’ wait goes on a little longer.