Although the quality of football played in the match wasn’t to high the effort and the desire from both teams was clear for all to see and I think this is what will be remembered from this final.
The game was close throughout and there was never going to be much to choose between the two teams. The midfield was missed out by both teams for large periods with plenty of long balls being played.
Pelton sprung a surprise in team selection when Craig Mickle was left out the starting XI but he got on the field soon enough after 7 minutes following a 50/50 tackle between the Pelton right back and Sacriston’s left back Grant Boyd. Boyd won the tackle superbly but the Pelton player felt the full force of the tackle and had to be substituted.
Pelton came close to scoring on 8 minutes when a free kick came into the box and found the head of Kevin Dixon but his effort was brilliantly saved by Potts.
Sacriston had won the toss and chose to play up the hill in the first half and defended well for long periods with Potts making some good saves to keep Sacriston level. Sacriston did threaten particularly with the pace of McCormack who stretched the Pelton backline and Harrison was winning every header up front alongside him which was enabling Sacriston to get some territory.
Sacriston went close to scoring on 16 minutes when Thornton’s corner found its way to O’Brien at the back post who diverted his header back across goal which was cleared of the line.
At half time we (Sacriston) were very confident with the hard work done playing up the hill that we could turn the screw in the 2nd half. Although we started well Pelton started to get a foothold in the game and were controlling possession. Sacriston made a change on 61 minutes with Craig Coates coming on for Anthony Ward. Graeme Embleton came on for James Thornton on 71 minutes.
Then on 72 minutes Sacriston looked like getting there big chance in the game when Craig Coates was played through and he was one on one with the keeper but the assistant referee blew for offside.
Then the big moment of the game arrived on 76 minutes when a really poor decision was given by the referee for a free kick against Sean Gregory in the midfield area. From that free kick Pelton got the ball into the box and after a good run into the box from a Pelton player down the left hand side resulted in a cut back to his team mate on the edge of the 6 yard box where a scuffed shot resulted in the ball finding the bottom corner of the net. This was tough to take because the free kick should never have been given but we had plenty of opportunity to clear our lines.
Sacriston made more changes in an attempt to get back in the game with Horner coming on for Harrison & Gary Draper came on for O’Brien in the final 5 minutes. Sacriston pressed hard but couldn’t get any rhythm into their play as Pelton closed the game down well denying Sacriston any chance to get going.
Then on 88 minutes it looked to the entire world that we had equalized when Craig Coates did brilliantly to turn and twist away from the Pelton defence and his shot deflected to the far post where Andrew Collinson was waiting and he finished superbly into the bottom left corner. The joy was short lived however when the assistant’s flag went up again to deny us the goal. I wasn’t in line with the incident but judging by player and supporter reactions it seemed like a harsh decision.
Pelton did go close a couple of times on the counter attack when we lost the ball high up field but didn’t put us away.
These close calls do affect the outcome of games like this and unfortunately for Sacriston we were on the wrong side of them today. The referee blew for the final whistle shortly afterwards to confirm our defeat.
Sacriston came through some epic games to get to this final but to lose against one of our closest rivals was very difficult to take considering the effort the team put in on the day. I was so proud of my players who put in 100% effort throughout the game and all the supporters who came to watch of which there were many could all see that. We just didn’t show enough quality on the ball which resulted in very few chances being created. We tried everything we could but it just wasn’t our day.
Well done to Pelton who capped another good season for them by winning their 3rd cup of the season.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful supporters and club members who came to cheer the team on. I would also like to thank our 2 brilliant secretaries Marc Hall & Lauren Burn for their brilliant work during the season and without them a football club just wouldn’t exist. A big thanks to my assistant mananger Martin Hubber for all the work he has done for me and the team this year.
Last of all I would like to thank all of my players and sadly on the day 3 of those didn’t make the squad and this broke my heart to have to tell them and for this I can only apologize but I could only name 16 and I picked the team that I thought was in the best interests of the club on the day to win the game.
Craig Coates attitude in and around the team has been fantastic and he was excellent in taking the warm up on the day and he nearly got us back in the game twice whilst on the field as a sub. I hope he continues to play for us when he is available. Two of our other elder statesman in Danny O’Brien and Sean Gregory face big decisions over the summer. I hope they both carry on playing but if they do retire I would like to thank them now for all the wonderful performances they have put in for the team over the years. They are both wonderful examples to our younger lads of how you should play the game like men hard but mostly fair. Both are fantastic guys as well as being superb players and will be almost impossible to replace.
A long break now over the summer but we will be back next season looking to go one better and bring a trophy back home to our wonderful club.
Thanks Richard Hilton Sacriston CCCFC Manager.
