It was another one of those weekends where my choice of match went down to the wire. There were games being cancelled left, right and centre. However, luckily for me, a very interesting county cup quarter-final game featuring a high-flying step 7 team at home to a step 6 side, was almost around the corner and, what's more, it was on.
The game in question? A Les underwood Junior Cup game between Northants Combo Premier League leaders Roade and Spartan South Midlands Division One outfit Rushden & Higham United. It was something of a coincidence that I ended up heading for Roade because I had spent the morning watching my daughter's team train after their county cup game, against Roade, was cancelled because the Roade team had, very sadly, folded. I do hope their players find other clubs soon. No-one wants to see a team fold. Unfortunately, under-16 girl's teams are prone to this especially with the pressure of exams looming.
On to today's game. Roade came into the match safe in the knowledge that they held a nine point lead at the top of the Northants Premier, even if local rivals Blisworth had two games in hand. This was a chance for them to test themselves against a team from the level above them. Rushden & Higham United, The Lankies, ply their trade in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League, and are currently in mid-table. Their nickname comes from a previous incarnation, as Higham Town, when they played their home games on land belonging to The Duchy of Lancaster, hence the name, The Lankies.
This was a quarter-final of the junior county cup, effectively round three. Both sides had won home ties in round one. Roade beat Earls Barton United 2-0 whilst Rushden & Higham were 4-2 winners over FC Peterborough. In the second round Roade received a bye whilst United won a penalty shootout after drawing 0--0 at Raunds Town.
I'd like to say a massive thank you to the friendly and helpful staff at Roade, who went out of their way to get me access to both team sheets before the game.
The game in question? A Les underwood Junior Cup game between Northants Combo Premier League leaders Roade and Spartan South Midlands Division One outfit Rushden & Higham United. It was something of a coincidence that I ended up heading for Roade because I had spent the morning watching my daughter's team train after their county cup game, against Roade, was cancelled because the Roade team had, very sadly, folded. I do hope their players find other clubs soon. No-one wants to see a team fold. Unfortunately, under-16 girl's teams are prone to this especially with the pressure of exams looming.
On to today's game. Roade came into the match safe in the knowledge that they held a nine point lead at the top of the Northants Premier, even if local rivals Blisworth had two games in hand. This was a chance for them to test themselves against a team from the level above them. Rushden & Higham United, The Lankies, ply their trade in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League, and are currently in mid-table. Their nickname comes from a previous incarnation, as Higham Town, when they played their home games on land belonging to The Duchy of Lancaster, hence the name, The Lankies.
This was a quarter-final of the junior county cup, effectively round three. Both sides had won home ties in round one. Roade beat Earls Barton United 2-0 whilst Rushden & Higham were 4-2 winners over FC Peterborough. In the second round Roade received a bye whilst United won a penalty shootout after drawing 0--0 at Raunds Town.
I'd like to say a massive thank you to the friendly and helpful staff at Roade, who went out of their way to get me access to both team sheets before the game.
Roade on the attack The opening encounters showed what a tight and tough encounter this was likely to be, with plenty of challenges flying in early on as both sides tried to establish themselves. The referee set his stall out early on, letting the game flow as much as possible, probably a little too much in the eyes of both teams. However, to be fair, he was letting things go on both sides.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium early on. Both teams had glimpses of goal in the opening 15 minutes, but neither could manage a breakthrough. Just before the 20 minute mark, Roade won a corner on their left which George Wingrove took, curling the ball in towards the visitor's goal. Goalkeeper Micky Ibbeson did well under pressure to push the ball away and was alert enough to grasp Andy Seaton's goal-bound header as it looped towards the corner. That was as close as either team had come so far, and it stayed that way until the 35th minute when Rushden took the lead. A short corner routine on the left seemed to have come to nothing when the ball was cleared towards the edge of the box. However, Johnny Carey was lurking to send a low shot past Michael Kirby. 0-1
The response from Roade was decisive and almost immediate. Only four minutes after going behind, the Step 7 side were level. It began with another Wingrove corner from the left. This was headed clear, but only back to the Roade number 10. He sent over a dangerous ball, with some pace, that Austin Bishop could only a glancing head to, sending the ball into his own net. 1-1
HT Roade 1 Rushden & Higham United 1. A very entertaining half from a neutral perspective. Two evenly matched teams who were both going flat out. A proper cup tie complete with an underlying bit of niggle.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium early on. Both teams had glimpses of goal in the opening 15 minutes, but neither could manage a breakthrough. Just before the 20 minute mark, Roade won a corner on their left which George Wingrove took, curling the ball in towards the visitor's goal. Goalkeeper Micky Ibbeson did well under pressure to push the ball away and was alert enough to grasp Andy Seaton's goal-bound header as it looped towards the corner. That was as close as either team had come so far, and it stayed that way until the 35th minute when Rushden took the lead. A short corner routine on the left seemed to have come to nothing when the ball was cleared towards the edge of the box. However, Johnny Carey was lurking to send a low shot past Michael Kirby. 0-1
The response from Roade was decisive and almost immediate. Only four minutes after going behind, the Step 7 side were level. It began with another Wingrove corner from the left. This was headed clear, but only back to the Roade number 10. He sent over a dangerous ball, with some pace, that Austin Bishop could only a glancing head to, sending the ball into his own net. 1-1
HT Roade 1 Rushden & Higham United 1. A very entertaining half from a neutral perspective. Two evenly matched teams who were both going flat out. A proper cup tie complete with an underlying bit of niggle.
Magee scores from the spot Roade, possibly buoyed by their equaliser, began the second half with renewed intent. Only two minutes after the restart JJ McCarthy forced Ibbeson into a flying save at full-stretch, to concede a corner. A few minutes later, however, even the excellent Lankies keeper was helpless as Ed Uka planted a free header past both the keeper and the far post. The Roade striker clearly annoyed that he hadn't put them in front. Then just before the hour Uka sent a low drive skidding past Ibbeson, only for the ball to crash back off the foot of the post.
Roade were definitely on the front foot at this point, keeping United penned back in their own half. Substitute Connor Letts was next to try his luck, sending a long-range effort wide of the mark, before Ibbeson came to United's rescue again on 64 minutes, producing a superb save to keep our McCarthy again.
Roade could easily have added three goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, if not for Ibbeson. Of course, as often happens in football, they came to rue these misses. United pressed forward and, a minute after almost conceding, they were awarded a penalty when Jason Okunnu was clearly tripped inside the area. No real arguments for Roade as Kai Magee stepped up and blasted his side back in front. 1-2
Roade responded as they did when going behind previously. However, this time, they were a little unlucky to see Uka's powerful header blocked on the line. They were even more unlucky just a minute later when a long ball forward was miscued by a Roade defenders ending the ball spinning backwards over the top of their back-line. Kai Magee was alert to it, nipping in to loft the ball over Kirby and into the net. 1-3. Magee would be denied the chance of hat-trick after seemingly injuring himself in the act of scoring and having the go off. However, two goals in two minutes had seen the visitors give themselves breathing space, after being under some pressure early in the second half.
Two goals behind to a team a division above them could have spelled the end for Roade but, to their credit, they didn't let their heads drop and, with fifteen minutes remaining, they grabbed a lifeline. It was proper route one stuff. Kirby launched the ball downfield, his huge kick bouncing inside the United penalty area. Ibbeson came to claim but was challenged by both Uka and Wingrove. The ball slipped from his grasp as he landed, bouncing in front of Wingrove, who lofted it back into the unguarded net, amidst claims of a foul on the keeper. Nothing given and Roade were back in it. 2-3
The home side pressed forward looking for the leveller, but were indebted to defender Denham Salmon who got back behind his keeper to make a crucial goal-line headed clearance, saving a goal that would undoubtedly have finished the match. That proved to be the catalyst for a final push. Harrison Mackie's long punt forward almost caught out Ibbeson, who had to back-peddle to tip the ball over the bar. Then, three minutes into added time, Michael Osbourne sent the home supporters wild as he drilled the ball in from just inside the box. 3-3.
We would need penalties to separate the teams
FT Roade 2 Rushden & Higham United 3. A brilliant game of football to watch. Fully committed teams who competed to the very end of the game.
Roade were definitely on the front foot at this point, keeping United penned back in their own half. Substitute Connor Letts was next to try his luck, sending a long-range effort wide of the mark, before Ibbeson came to United's rescue again on 64 minutes, producing a superb save to keep our McCarthy again.
Roade could easily have added three goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, if not for Ibbeson. Of course, as often happens in football, they came to rue these misses. United pressed forward and, a minute after almost conceding, they were awarded a penalty when Jason Okunnu was clearly tripped inside the area. No real arguments for Roade as Kai Magee stepped up and blasted his side back in front. 1-2
Roade responded as they did when going behind previously. However, this time, they were a little unlucky to see Uka's powerful header blocked on the line. They were even more unlucky just a minute later when a long ball forward was miscued by a Roade defenders ending the ball spinning backwards over the top of their back-line. Kai Magee was alert to it, nipping in to loft the ball over Kirby and into the net. 1-3. Magee would be denied the chance of hat-trick after seemingly injuring himself in the act of scoring and having the go off. However, two goals in two minutes had seen the visitors give themselves breathing space, after being under some pressure early in the second half.
Two goals behind to a team a division above them could have spelled the end for Roade but, to their credit, they didn't let their heads drop and, with fifteen minutes remaining, they grabbed a lifeline. It was proper route one stuff. Kirby launched the ball downfield, his huge kick bouncing inside the United penalty area. Ibbeson came to claim but was challenged by both Uka and Wingrove. The ball slipped from his grasp as he landed, bouncing in front of Wingrove, who lofted it back into the unguarded net, amidst claims of a foul on the keeper. Nothing given and Roade were back in it. 2-3
The home side pressed forward looking for the leveller, but were indebted to defender Denham Salmon who got back behind his keeper to make a crucial goal-line headed clearance, saving a goal that would undoubtedly have finished the match. That proved to be the catalyst for a final push. Harrison Mackie's long punt forward almost caught out Ibbeson, who had to back-peddle to tip the ball over the bar. Then, three minutes into added time, Michael Osbourne sent the home supporters wild as he drilled the ball in from just inside the box. 3-3.
We would need penalties to separate the teams
FT Roade 2 Rushden & Higham United 3. A brilliant game of football to watch. Fully committed teams who competed to the very end of the game.
Penalties
Jack Bloodworth scores for Rushden. 0-1
George Wingrove scores for Roade. 1-1
Johnny Carey for The Lankies, in off the inside of the post. 1-2
Harrison Markie puts his effort wide. 1-2 after two kicks each.
Mason Jackson makes it 1-3 for the Lankies.
Denham Salmon scores to make it 2-3 after three each
Rushden goalkeeper Micky Ibbeson hits the post. Still 2-3
Roade stopper Michael Kirby to level it. Saved by Ibbeson 2-3
Jory Mann to win it for Rushden. Scores. 2-4
Jack Bloodworth scores for Rushden. 0-1
George Wingrove scores for Roade. 1-1
Johnny Carey for The Lankies, in off the inside of the post. 1-2
Harrison Markie puts his effort wide. 1-2 after two kicks each.
Mason Jackson makes it 1-3 for the Lankies.
Denham Salmon scores to make it 2-3 after three each
Rushden goalkeeper Micky Ibbeson hits the post. Still 2-3
Roade stopper Michael Kirby to level it. Saved by Ibbeson 2-3
Jory Mann to win it for Rushden. Scores. 2-4
Mann scores the decisive penalty
Rushden & Higham United progress to the semi-finals. All other quarter-finals were postponed, so they'll need to wait to see who they face from Woodford United v Blisworth, Harpole v Kettering Nomads and Desborough Town v Wellingborough Whitworth
Meanwhile, Roade have no fixture next week and will have to wait until the 24th, when they take on Kettering Nomads at home in the league, having won 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
The Lankies do have a match next Saturday, as they face a trip to Bell Close where they take on Leighton Town Reserves in the league.
Roade: Kirby, Lawton(c), Webster, Pannell, Seaton, Salmon, Faulkner, Collier, Uka, Wingrove, McCarthy. Subs: Daniels, Thorpe, Markie, Letts, Osbourne
Rushden & Higham United: Ibbeson, Dye, Jackson, Culwick, Bloodworth, Bishop, Okunnu, Palmer(c), Magee, Mann, Carey. Subs: Beasant, Demaj, King, Johnstone, Wells
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Meanwhile, Roade have no fixture next week and will have to wait until the 24th, when they take on Kettering Nomads at home in the league, having won 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
The Lankies do have a match next Saturday, as they face a trip to Bell Close where they take on Leighton Town Reserves in the league.
Roade: Kirby, Lawton(c), Webster, Pannell, Seaton, Salmon, Faulkner, Collier, Uka, Wingrove, McCarthy. Subs: Daniels, Thorpe, Markie, Letts, Osbourne
Rushden & Higham United: Ibbeson, Dye, Jackson, Culwick, Bloodworth, Bishop, Okunnu, Palmer(c), Magee, Mann, Carey. Subs: Beasant, Demaj, King, Johnstone, Wells
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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