Drama as Thorney win Thriller on Pens!
Thorney Close Inn were deserved winners of the DBS cup after this controversial Cup final win against Newbottle WMC at Herrington CW. In front of a bumper crowd Thorney started the brighter and were using the size of the pitch to there advantage with some slick passing and it wasn’t long before they got there noses in front. Corner from the right from Surtees was cleared by the Newbottle defence only to the Ginger "Cafu" 25 yrds out, with the Newbottle defence racing out he slide a perfect pass through the middle for Thorneys Leading goalscorer Barnfather to race onto and round the keeper to put Thorney 1 nil up. Thorney were on top and scored there 2nd midway through the half. Surtees, causing the full-back all sorts of problems, skinned him again and got to the byline where he dragged it back for Barnfather to grab his 2nd with a 6yd tap-in. “Wurz” released Makin on the right side of the area and with the keeper advancing towards him he lob it over him inches wide of the far post. Surtees again skinned his marker and feed Barnfather on the edge of the area who turned his marker and fired a curler inches wide. Thorney were creating chance after chance as Newbottle couldnt cope with Thorneys workrate, Barnfather robbed his marker 30yrds out at ran at the keeper but instead ov shooting with the goal at his mercy he squared it for Shickle to slide home only for the Assistant to wave his flag for offside. Thorney had the upper hand and were dominating and pressing for the 3rd until the game came to life after a moment of madness from the man in the middle. Ball over the top had Thorney NO.1 Richardson sliding out to collect the ball ahead ov Newbottles starman Wallace only for Wallace to clatter into the keeper. The man in the middle had a clear view ov the incident and with the whistle at his mouth chose to ignore it and let the game flow and with the ball squirming loose left Wallace with a simple tap-in which incensed Thorneys players and management. Moments later another bit of controversy as Liva and Spoors clashed in a 50/50 tackle on the edge of the area and the ball broke loose into the keeper’s hands, Whistle blown for a BACKPASS, unbelievable. Spoors rockets a free-kick into the wall, justice was done. 2nd half started and It was more even than the 1st half, with Newbottle having a lot of possession without really creating a clear cut chances with Wallace going closest for Newbottle with a couple ov weak shots that Richardson comfortable collected. Shickle beat his fullback and drilled a 20yrd effort a whisker wide of the far post with the keeper beating. 15 mins remaining and a shocking 2 footed flying death kick from Rob Brooke, who had just come off the bench 30seconds earlier, on Andy Wallace, caused a free for all with headbutts and punches thrown. Referee restores order on the pitch and gives Brooke and Gritton there marching orders. The game ebbed and flowed until the 8th minute of injury time out of the 6 allocated. Ball through the middle wasn’t dealt with by Thorneys back 4 and Wallace was brought down on the edge of the area. Wallace steps up and crashes a thunderous 20yr in off the bar 2-2. FT. Extra time started with both teams exhausted and it wasn’t until the 2nd min of injury time at the end of extra time that a clear cut chance came. Makin burst through the middle of Newbottle defence and after taking a few clattering challenges he toe poked it past the keeper and with the whole ground thinking it was in, it rebounded to safety off the foot of the post. Ref blew, PENALTIES. Thorney with 3 under 21s in the 5 pen takers looked a bit shell shocked. Newbottle with a lot of experience players looked very composed. Thorneys Centre half Karl McDonough stepped up a blasted it into the bottom corner 1-0. Wallace for Newbottle calmly placed 1-1. "Digger" Smart blazed over the bar; advantage Newbottle only for the next spot kick to be saved by Richardson 1-1. Barnfather scored for Thorney then Newbottle hit the cross bar. 2-1. Micky Woodward brilliantly put it in the bottom corner 3-1. Newbottle buried the next sending the keeper the wrong way 3-2. The scene was set for Thorneys Captain Marvel Karl "Angry" Adams to bury it straight down the middle and Thorney WON the cup in scenes of wild celebration every1 piled on "Angry" on the Penalty spot.
