FRANK BAINBRIDGE CUP FINAL
SPORTSMANS FC 3 NORTHALLERTON POLICE 2
By Ricky Butler at the Calvert Stadium
Highlights of this match can be viewed here
A DRAMATIC last-gasp winner from defender James Bell on Thursday evening saw Sportsmans FC retain the Frank Bainbridge Cup in a thrilling final against old rivals Northallerton Police.
Division One leaders the Police had looked on course to snatch the trophy from their neighbours after strikes from Liam Darville and Jason Newall saw them overturn a first half own goal from Gary Shardha. But Sportsmans captain Sam Grainger equalised with six minutes to go before Bell's dramatic last-kick intervention.
Sporties manager Carl Kelly said: "I'm delighted. The lads deserve it. We've had a long way to go this season, struggling to get a squad together.
"We all know we didn't play at our best; it's probably the worst we've played since I took over. I thought the Police were the better to be honest. I think in the last 15 minutes our fitness probably told rather than that we played any better.
"We've played more cup games than we have league games so we have a lot to play. Yes, we can still win the league but no talk of the treble. We don't want to put a jinx on it. But we've got the first hurdle done."
In Aintree week it was surprisingly referee Mark Ullyott who was first to fall. Suffering with kidney stones, the official had to be replaced by assistant David Homes after just 16 minutes. But it was first blood to holders Sportsmans in this clash of the Hambleton League heavyweights.
Colin Anderson had already hit the post midway through the first half when the unfortunate Police defender Shardha turned a 27th minute cross from the Sporties danger-man past his own goalkeeper with Scott McNichol waiting to pounce.
But the lead lasted barely four minutes. A long ball out of defence by Newall fell to Laim Darville in the penalty area and he neatly clipped it past Jed Clarkson from 8 yards to make it 1-1 at the break.
The Police came out strongly at the start of the second period and they deservedly took the lead six minutes after the restart. A corner from the left by Chris Walker found the head of Newall, and although his connection was not as clean as he would have liked, the ball somehow found its way into the net.
The Police were now rampant and they came close to sealing the cup when first Sam Vernalls and then Ashley McInerney came close to doubling their advantage.
But it was the holders that dragged themselves level with just six minutes left on the clock. A corner from McNichol was only half cleared and Grainger dived in bravely to send a header into the bottom left-hand corner of Adam Cunningham's net.
There is usually very little to choose between these sides and it now looked as though extra time would once again be required. But deep into stoppage time, the Sporties won it.
Again it was the set-piece delivery of McNichol that created confusion in the Police penalty area and left back Bell arrived to fire a right-footed shot past Cunningham from 10 yards. There was barely time for the game to restart when referee Holmes blew the final whistle and the Sporties celebrations could begin.
Match-winner Bell said: "It's definitely the high point of my season so far. To come through 3-2 in the last minute; it doesn't get much better than that does it.
"All I remember about the goal was; right foot, didn't look, back of the net! That's all the matters."
With a County Cup final against Cleveland Arms to come next week at Stokesley, this could be the first of an historic cup double for Kelly's heroes. The Police meanwhile, will hope to retain the league title as compensation for this heart-breaking late defeat.
SPORTSMANS FC - Clarkson (Je), Pratt, Lambert, Grainger, Bell, McNichol, Butterworth, Ramsbottom (An), Jackson, Ramsbottom (Aa), Anderson. SUBS - Caisley, Calvert, Dawson, Clarkson (Jo).
NORTHALLERTON POLICE - Cunningham, Ryan, Newall, Pinkney,Walker, Shardha, Darville (L), McInerney, Gunnell, Vernalls, Darville (B). SUBS - Pattison, Schofield, Cooke, Morris, Wright.
REFEREE - M. Ullyott/D. Holmes.
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