Pilkington FC U16s bring the Cup Home to Ruskin
Late winner from Pilks’ Charlie Martindale Seals Victory in Sunday’s Presidents Cup Final.
On a dry but breezy Spring afternoon at Rylands ‘Hive’ Stadium, Pilkington FC U16’s came out on top in a close encounter against unbeaten League Leaders, Vulcan FC U16, to earn a well-deserved victory in Warrington JFL’s Presidents Cup Final.
In a match that was largely played out in the middle of the pitch, there were few clear cut chances for either side but on balance, the more incisive passing play of the Ruskin-based side won the day after the deadlock had been broken by Vulcan mid-way through the first half.
It was a speculative long ball that caught out the Pilks defence in the 20th minute, providing the opening for Vulcan’s centre-forward to go one-on-one with Pilks No.1, Sam Dickson. The Vulcan striker took his chance clinically from inside the box, yet it could be argued that the 1-0 scoreline flattered the League Leaders after the early exchanges.
However, that didn’t knock the confidence of the Pilks players and within four minutes, the game was level.
After a clearance in a crowded Vulcan penalty box, Aaron Jackson sent the ball back in to the melee, with the ball breaking for Pilks Captain, Thomas Patrick, on the edge of the penalty area. Close control allowed Patrick to carry the ball into the Vulcan ‘box before unleashing a a sweet left-footed drive across the Vulcan keeper and in to the far right hand corner of the net. BANG. 1-1. GAME ON!
After further stints of Pilks-dominated possession, the referee’s half time whistle arrived and with it, a rousing show of appreciation from their travelling, vocal support, sending the boys in Green to the dressing rooms in good spirit.
And as the Pilkington side emerged to a sunshine second half, it was further cries of Pilks encouragement ringing out around the Rylands venue as the game restarted, setting the scene for what turned out to be a tense 40 minutes of Cup Final football.
Both sides fought throughout a well contested second period, with the left wingers on both sides getting joy without creating that killer final play.
A close shave with the crossbar denied Pilks after some neat interplay, and several in-swinging corners by Vulcan had Pilks’ hearts beating fast as the boys in blue tried to take advantage of the wind which was blowing towards the Pilkington goalmouth.
Then, with 76 minutes on the clock and the crowd starting to prepare themselves for the lottery of penalty kicks, it was a move started and finished by Pilks substitute, Charlie Martindale, that won the cup!
On receiving the ball about 30 yards out, central from goal, and despite cries of ‘SHOOT’ from the terraces, Martindale picked out a lovely lofted pass out to the left flank to winger Sasha Mykhalchuk. A drop of the shoulder and Mykhlachuk had passed the Vulcan right back and turned the ball into a crowded box. A half clearance from the Vulcan defence dropped to Ollie Luck who instantly sent the ball back into the danger area. With his back to goal, Martindale neatly took the ball to ground on the six yard line and swivelled right to find the Vulcan keeper advancing at his feet. In an instinctive move, Martindale swiftly took the ball across the keeper to open up the goal before dinking a left foot shot into the back of the net. Cue scenes of joy and a green scrum of celebrating Pilks players in the far corner of the pitch. Unbridled joy on the pitch. Tears of joy on the terraces.
With minutes remaining and with little to lose, Vulcan sent caution to the wind and bombarded the Pilkington defence with some last ditch attacks, but composed defending and with huge determination to hang on to the well earned lead, Pilks played out the game and the Presidents Cup was there’s, sparking wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.
Before the Pilkington Captain, Thomas Patrick, held aloft the gleaming Cup Final trophy, the Warrington League Committee also handed the ‘Player of the Match’ award to Pilkington’s Sasha Mykhalchuk.
An overjoyed Pilk’s Head Coach, Jamie Dickson, could not hold back his delight. “This was a complete team effort where every single player contributed to the result. I’m over the moon.”
Goalscorer Martindale summed up the mood of the players. “Let’s get the party started!”.
UP THE PILKS !!!
Pilks Line Up: Dickson, Dolan, Cooper, O’Shaughnessy, Jackson, Patrick (c), Dennett, Shaw-Binns, Mykhalchuk, Wilson, Barker.
Substitutes: Luck, Mitchinson, Kenamuinjo, Martindale, Holt
Goalscorers: Patrick (23), Martindale (76)
