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BCFA Cup Finals 2001-02 SUNDAY VASE FINAL Darlaston CA 1 - 0 Princes End Rangers Just one goal separated the two Black Country rivals in Final of the BCFA Sunday Vase. It was Chris Hunter who almost gained the advantage for Princes End in the 17th minute, but his shot skimmed wide of Neil Jones' post. Meanwhile, Darlaston attempted to make the most of Stuart Edwards' free kicks, but found the two best attempts on goal saved by Wesley Cox.. Edwards played his part in the Darlaston goal, which came in the 33rd minute of the game. His long range attempt could only be parried by Cox, with James Walker pouncing on the loose ball to fire home. The second half was a much livelier affair, with Princes End creating more chances - which should have won them the game. Although Darren Evans' 66th minute shot was from a tricky angle, it had to go down as a goal scoring opportunity, as did Lee Turtle and Chris Hunters goalmouth scramble in the 73rd. However, Darlaston created their own chances and were disappointed to have not stretched their lead when Jones cleared the ball to Walker whose neat pass to Allen on the wing then Edwards in the box was ended with a disappointing shot wide of the post. Princes End piled on the pressure in the dying minutes of the game, including two successive corners - both made safe by Jones in the Darlaston goal. SATURDAY VASE FINAL Wolverhampton United 2 - 6 Grosvenor Park (aet) Three goals from Rasheed Anifowose secured the Birmingham County FA Saturday Vase for Grosvenor Park, despite being down to 10 men for almost 60 minutes of the game. Steve Walker was first to score, beating the Wolverhampton United off-side trap and heading home in the 7th minute. Walker had several chances throughout the first half, using his speed to break free onto goal. Wolverhampton took just 3 minutes to respond after a mix up between Chris Bryan and Tony Rowe allowed Rob Forbes to slot the ball home. Despite Grosvenor Park pressure, it was Wolverhampton who took the lead in the 60th minute – Forbes again but this time connecting to a terrific cross with his head. Not to be out-done, the Grosvenor Park reply came within 2 minutes. Anifowose hitting home his first from close range after Darren Warrican's pass had put the ball into his path. Just 60 seconds later, Dan Kitson somehow managed to deflect Matt Dale's thundering shot onto the bar for a corner. Walker was given his marching orders by Referee Murphy in the 67th minute after kicking out at the opposition. Despite missing his pace, Grosvenor Park were able to soak up any pressure and take the game into extra time with the score at 2-2. Extra time started evenly, with Wolverhampton's Lee James matched every step of the way into the area by Shaun Merchant, preventing his shot on goal from hitting the target. As legs tired and the clock ticked, it was Grosvenor Park who seized the advantage. Substitute, Duncan Ferguson started the onslaught with two goals in each period of extra time - his second coming after a neat stepover from Anifowose allowed Ferguson to run clear on goal. Anifowose's second of the game came with a lob which Kitson could do nothing about, but he saved his best until last with a tremendous volley to seal his hattrick and a league and cup double for Grosvenor Park. SUNDAY CUP FINAL Toll End FC 3-1 Stone Cross Crown & Anchor FC Toll End FC were victorious in the BCFA Sunday Cup yesterday, maintaining their grip on the silverware for the second season in a row. The two clubs are competing for the top positions in the Sandwell Division 2, but put their League battles to one side yesterday to go head to head in the winner takes all final. After Stone Cross had flashed a terrific free kick across the goal and Toll End had seen their closest effort scrambled away, it was Craig Love who stepped up to take a free kick in the 34th minute. His ball to the far post gave Stuart Mole the chance to chalk up the opening goal, putting Toll End 1-0 up at half time. Toll End thought they had gone 2 goals up in the 52nd minute, but Brendan Pugh's conversion was adjudged offside by Assistant Referee, Norman Harvey. Stone Cross' equaliser came from a free kick - James Price putting Neil Smith under pressure in the Toll End goal, who fumbled the save and saw the ball roll into his net in the 64th minute. As the pressure mounted, a flurry of bookings in the final 10 minutes were accompanied by two goals from Toll End Substitutes Gary Rhodes and Lee Beddows. Rhodes converted a Craig Love corner in the 89th minute whilst Beddows sealed the win after breaking clear from the halfway line in time-added-on by the referee. The break came as Stone Cross threw everyone forward - desperately seeking extra time. Next week the BCFA hosts its last two competition finals - the Saturday and Sunday Vases take place on the 18th and 19th May. SATURDAY JUNIOR CUP FINAL Burman Hi Ton FC 3–0 Village FC Burman Hi Ton sealed a decisive 3-0 victory in the Final of the BCFA Saturday Junior Cup, which completes a tremendous season for the Midland Combination outfit. Having already sealed the Division 2 title and winning the League Challenge Vase earlier in the week, Burman had to soak up tremendous pressure in the first half before ensuring the treble was theirs. An injury to Carl Griffin forced an early change for Village, Paul Wilson taking his place after Griffin suffered a bang to his face. Paul Bennett forced Kenny Sanders to turn the ball around his post in the 18th minute as Village created numerous chances throughout the first 45 minutes. Having kept the score level with some solid defending, the deadlock was broken against the run of play in the 40th minute - Steve Watson converting one of few Burman chances. The second half was a different story, with Village the ones who were now on the back foot and having to defend rather than push up and try to draw the teams level. Burman's second strike came soon after the restart, Junior Hewitt dribbled past Jon Clark and slotted the ball home from a difficult angle. The chance to pull one goal back for Village came in the 63rd minute when Rob Dunford's shot was saved by Sanders' fingertips, the follow up shot was then cleared decisively. Just 7 minutes later, Burman sealed their win after Laurie Carey attempted to clear a speedy cross, only to see the ball land at the feet of Earl Jordan who fired it into the back of the net. After a frenetic game, Village could make no in-roads, despite Dunford bringing the ball down neatly with the outside of his foot - his follow-up shot volleyed just over the bar in the 85th minute. SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP FINAL Two goals in extra time decided the destination of the BCFA Sunday Junior Cup, but Westacres were left ruing chances that could have made all the difference. Steve Timmins opened the Wednesfield account in the 16th minute; a superb shot over the Westacres defence, which dipped under the crossbar. Martin Lloyd should have bagged the equaliser in the 31st minute after a long ball from Phil Dutton was headed just over the bar. Westacres enjoyed the majority of possession in the second period, but somehow failed to convert their share of the ball into goals. Phil Shackleton missed a gifted chance in the 47th minute, but it was Steve Rich who drew the sides level when his rising shot sailed though a sea of yellow shirts and into the net in the 71st minute. Wednesfield had their own chances to seize back the advantage, including a mix up in the Westacres area which saw a clearance off the line. Despite increased pressure from Westacres, it was Wednesfield who took the lead in the 1st minute of the second period of extra time. Stuart Thomas; on as a substitute for Kieron Perks delivered a perfect pass to Dave Evans who found himself alone in the penalty area, with time to turn, shoot and put his side 2-1 up. Andrew Morris made a match winning save for Wednesfield 4 minutes later after a terrific attempt from Jeff Wallbank. His side eased the pressure by scoring a third strike in the last minute of extra time - Rob Shaw firing home the winner despite a desperate dive from Sam Cooper. SATURDAY YOUTH CUP FINAL After enjoying the majority of possession in the first half, Highgate United were made to work for their victory in the Saturday Youth Cup Final by a determined Great Barr Celtic side. Highgate took the lead in the 12th minute after a confused defence allowed Reuel Prescod to roll the ball home. Great Barr attempted to respond immediately, but Craig Johnson tipped the ball over his crossbar and managed to scramble the resulting corner clear. A superb Dave Carlyon cross from wide on the left was directed through Nathan Woakes' legs in the 25th minute by Sean Dowdall. The Great Barr keeper collected the ball out of his net for the third time just 4 minutes later after failing to hold onto a Gareth Hickin corner; eventually converted by Mark Faulds. Great Barr emerged from the half time break a rejuvenated side, maintaining possession and striking back in the 54th minute. Aaron Bishop cut through the midfield and forced Johnson to dive to his left, turning the ball around the Highgate 'Keeper's post. It was Tyrone Barnett whose powerful shot rewarded a spirited fightback. Despite turning up the pressure, Great Barr were caught out on the break when, Prescod beat the offside trap and netted his second and Highgate's fourth strike in the 69th minute, against the run of play. Rather than letting their heads drop, Great Barr remained attack-minded and forced 2 consecutive corners. They were rewarded with a second goal in the 78th minute when Michael Craddock punished Highgate for failing to clear the second set piece. It was mainly thanks to their first half performance that Highgate could say they had done enough to secure the win, but they remained a threat throughout, clipping the post in the dying minutes of the game. 5 |