Hay Sunday Saints finally got their hands on the Shelton Cup after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Bulmers at Broomy Hill, Hinton. The Saints took a one goal lead into the interval after Sam Bradley had opened the scoring before John Sly’s diving header doubled the advantage. A mix-up at the back saw the Bulmer’s striker sweep the ball home into an unguarded net before Sly made the game safe with a close-range finish in front of a good crowd on a mild Tuesday evening.
Hay were just about at full-strength with Zack Snape the only absentee; the versatile midfielder is currently away in Florida. With Ian Jones starting in goal, the defence was made up with Liam Pugh, Wes Evans, Bradley and Dale Summerfield. Wayne Evans was pushed back to his normal position of central midfield partnering the ever tenacious Steve Jones whilst Kevin Goodwin and Gareth Jenkins occupied the wings. Paul Willis was handed a start up front alongside Sly, with Matty Pugh, Gareth Ratcliffe, Dan Jones and Mike Ward having to be content with places on the bench.
The first-half started at a frantic pace with both sides battling hard to create the early chances; Hay were having the better share of possession and Goodwin’s lay-off set up Willis in a central position and 20 yards who forced the Bulmer’s ‘keeper into a low-save to divert a left-foot shot around the post. At the other end, the big right-winger from Bulmers crept in un-marked at the back-post to meet a deep cross from the left forcing I. Jones into a close-range save before the ball bounced out for a goal-kick off the winger. Goodwin forced the ‘keeper into a smart-save after the ball had broke to him from a throw-in from the right before the Saints took the lead mid-way through the half with a similar move. Bradley ventured forward for a throw-in and the ball broke to the defender who hit an opportunist first-time strike, looping his shot over the ‘keeper in a Pele-esque effort which delighted the Hay following. Bulmers pressured the Saints back-line towards the end of the half but the aerial dominance of Wes Evans helped deal with a number of long-throws and S. Jones’ superb block from a long-range effort denied a shot on target.
With Hay in the lead at half-time, Bulmers were expected to take the game to the Saints immediately from the first whistle of the second period but again resilient defending denied them any clear-cut opportunities. The half again saw plenty of effort from both sides but their was a lack of clear-cut chances at either end. A fierce effort from Jenkins hit the side netting from an acute angle whilst a long-range free-kick was deflected out for a corner past I. Jones whilst the same tactic deployed in the first-half, long-throws, again failed to come to anything. Instead, it was Hay who grabbed the all important second goal. Ward had been introduced to the field in place of Willis and made an instant impact when he met a long free-kick played into the area by Wes Evans; the ball eventually broke to Sly from Ward and the striker dived into to meet the ball with his head and divert it past the helpless ‘keeper. The game should have been put beyond doubt when Sly showed good control and vision to send Ward away but the striker failed to hit the target one on one, narrowly missing with a lob from 25 yards. With that chance missed, the Saints could have been thinking they were going to regret it when Bulmers pulled one back. Another long-throw, this time from the left wasn’t dealt with after a mix-up between I. Jones and Wes Evans and the Bulmer’s striker had the routine task of hitting the ball into the open net. The goal was likely to spark a lively end to the game but Hay had other ideas. Sly did well to win a free-kick on the edge of the box which Wayne Evans took left-footed; his free-kick was parried by the ‘keeper but Sly showed true striking credentials by knocking in the rebound. D. Jones and M. Pugh were introduced late on in place of Goodwin and L. Pugh as Hay saw out the final moments to claim the cup.
It was a fine performance from the Saints who thoroughly deserved to take the trophy home. The effort of the players on the night could not be faulted and everyone on the field looked as though they wanted it. In particular, the defensive performances of Wes Evans and Liam Pugh were superb whilst Bradley’s goal was one to saviour. S. Jones battled hard as always in midfield and generally worked his socks off whilst Sly showed some superb moments in the second-half grabbing two goals in the process. Everyone deserves praise for the way they played and Hay will be looking to take that into Sunday’s league encounter at Richards Castle; it’s a top of the table clash and the Saints can be hoping for nothing less than a win.
Hay: I. Jones, L. Pugh (M. Pugh), Bradley, Wes Evans, Summerfield, Jenkins, Wayne Evans, S. Jones, Goodwin (D. Jones), Willis (Ward), Sly.
Sub not used: Ratcliffe
Final Score: Hay 3-1 Bulmers