KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL – 21st April 2024
FC Devizes United 5 Scoop FC 3
FC DEVIZES END LONG WAIT FOR SILVERWARE
On a glorious sunny afternoon the Chippenham & Bath Sunday League staged the Cinch Self Storage sponsored Knockout Cup Final at Chippenham Town’s, Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, and those present were treated to an excellent game of football that saw Premier Division runners up FC Devizes United take on their nemesis FC Scoop, the Premier Division winners.
For James Stobart’s FC Devizes United side it was their fourth final, and not having had any joy in the previous three, The Stallions at last got the chance to taste success as a 5-3 triumph over their fierce rivals, saw them taste the champagne at last.
Once the match kicked off following a minute’s silence in memory of former League Treasurer, Frank Harvey who passed away earlier this season, it saw both teams start brightly with Kieron Gleed for Devizes and Rory Davis for Scoop going close to opening the scoring followed by both Gabe Costello and Oscar Webster for Devizes having goal bound shots saved by Scoop keeper Rhys Simpkins.
In the 33rd minute Devizes were awarded a free kick out on the left near the corner flag, a superb kick from Declan McStravick soared above everybody in the area and although Scoop keeper Simpkins looked as if had the effort covered it let it slip through his hands to nestle in the top right hand corner of the net and give Devizes the early break through.
Another Gabe Costello effort was the saved by the Scoop keeper as Devizes began to dominate, However in the 43rd minute Scoop were back in the game as an under hit back pass was pounced upon by Jack Smith who took the ball past Devizes keeper Jack Cross to equalise.
Kieron Gleed then had an effort brilliantly saved by the Scoop keeper before he scored on 45 minutes after some nice interplay to give Devizes a 2-1 half time lead.
Devizes again started brightly in the second half and after 58 minutes Gabe Costello capitalised after Scoop failed to clear a corner on the left to give Devizes a 3-1 lead, A minute later, Kieron Gleed was fouled in the penalty area, Devizes captain Jay Walters stepped up and made no mistake with the penalty as they took a 4-1 lead.
After 71 minutes Oscar Webster extended the lead to 5-1 with a well taken goal. Although Devizes must have thought they were home and dry, Scoop were determined to make a fight of it and in the 79th minute Rory Davis scored to make it 5-2.
With time running out Josh Bright also scored for Scoop to reduce the arrears to 5-3. Despite having a player sin binned, Devizes held on to record their first ever cup final cup and lift an unwanted hoodoo in finals.
Andy Stockinger of Cinch Self Storage presented the cup to FC Devizes United and to Kieron Gleed who he chose as Man of the Match.
Chippenham Town FC were thanked for hosting the final and allowing us once again to use their facilities.
