Colburn through to another final

MEDALS SHIELD SEMI FINAL

COLBURN TOWN 5 RICHMOND MAVERICKS RESERVES 1

By Ricky Butler at Kneeton Park

Highlights of this match are available here

 

COLBURN TOWN eased into the final of the Medals Shield on Saturday as two goals apiece from Tom Sweeney and Mikey Brend, plus a late strike from Stu Murray, was enough to see off the challenge of Richmond Mavericks Reserves at Kneeton Park.

However, the score-line was not a true reflection of the tie as a whole as for a spell either side of the break the Mavericks gave as good as they got. But after drawing level with a fine header from Kieran French just before half time, they crashed out thanks to five minutes of madness midway through the second period.

Colburn had started well and grabbed the lead after just four minutes. Brend was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Matty Bromirskyj and Sweeney curled home a delightful free kick – his 24^th goal of the season.

It could have been all over moments later when Sweeney was put through by Si McGuiness but after rounding goalkeeper JJ Elliott, the Colburn striker was unable to finish from a tight angle.

However, the Mavericks slowly began to settle and they had a golden opportunity to draw level after 16 minutes. James Laws’ pace sent him clear down the right but Colburn goalkeeper David Mutch was out quickly to deny him.

The Mavericks did have the ball in the net soon after when Phil Stirling squared for Carl Tate to tap home, but the assistants flag had already been raised for offside. Tate then saw an effort from 20 yards tipped onto the crossbar by Mutch as the Mavericks finished the half on top.

And the pressure finally paid off a minute before the break; French rising at the far post to nod home Mickey Sartini’s left wing corner.

Colburn started the second period as they had the first, with Luke McCormack bringing a fine save from Elliott before Murray fired over with just the goalkeeper to beat.

The Mavericks responded with an effort from Laws which flew wide of the right-hand upright but their cup dream was over when they conceded three times in five minutes midway through the half.

The goal that restored the Colburn advantage in the 61^st minute had more than a touch of fortune about it. Brend was only looking to find Murray or Sweeney in the penalty area but his hopeful ball in from the right was misjudged by Elliott at the near post and somehow ended up in the net.

Then, less than two minutes later, Brend's ball over the top found Sweeney in the penalty area and he was given far more too much space to beat Elliott from 10 yards.

Mavericks heads went down after that and Colburn sealed their place in the final when Brend tapped home his second from Murray’s low left wing cross straight from the restart to make it 4-1.

The Richmond side deserved to make the final score closer and they were inches away from a consolation when Darren Matthews’ effort from 15 yards hit the crossbar, but it was Colburn who added another goal two minutes from time.

Substitute Mikel Szwak beat three defenders on a thrilling run into the penalty area before squaring for Murray to tap home despite the Mavericks appeals for offside.

Colburn will face league leaders Hawes United in the final at Northallerton Town in March after they overcame Richmond Buck Inn 4-2 in the other semi final.

COLBURN TOWN – Mutch, Hall, Cole, Nisbet, McCormack, Swales, Hamilton, McGuiness, Brend, Murray, Sweeney. SUBS – Szwak, Cadd.

RICHMOND MAVERICKS RESERVES – Elliott, Bromirskyj, Cleminson, Straw, Fenney, Laws, Sartini, Tate, Matthews, French, Stirling. SUBS – Miller, Clarke.

REFEREE: M. Ullyott.

MAN OF MATCH - Brend (Colburn Town) - May have got lucky with his first goal but was a constant threat down the right.