Sportspy Reports (2) – Sunday April 19th 2009.

Quilligans FC aside Red Rose have enjoyed the best Cup record in Sunday football in recent seasons.  In 2004/05 they won the Division 2 Cup and in 2005/06 they won the Division 1 Cup.  In 2006/07 they reached the final of both the Gledhill Cup and the Premier Division Cup and last season they again reached the final of the Premier Division Cup.  This season they reached the semi-final of the Gledhill as well as reaching the final of the Divisional Cup for the fifth season in a row and this afternoon Andy Manning's team were up against Quilligans FC.  The current Premier Division league table shows them in ninth but a combination of Cup exploits and water-logging at their Thornton pitch means that they still have seven games to play.  They will have an important bearing on the ultimate destination of the title but a big finish could still see them finish in the top four. 

Opponents Quilligans last reached the final of this competition in the 2005/06 season when they beat the Reform Health Club FC 4-0.  They still have a chance of winning the treble but it's going to be difficult.  They're well aware of the Cup pedigree of Red Rose and memories of the 2006/07 Gledhill final are still fresh in the memory when only a last minute equaliser in normal time took Quilligans on to victory in extra-time.  Quill's have also reached the final of the Gledhill Cup for the fourth season in succession where they'll play Halfway House FC at Bloomfield Road on Friday May 8th.  As for the league title they're still narrow favourites as they sit two points behind Blackpool Rangers FC with a game in hand.

The officials for this afternoon's final were Mark Ayre who took up the whistle and he was being ably assisted by Andy Byrne and Peter Jones.  Quilligan's FC were in their white strip. 

Red Rose Catering FC 2008/09

Quilligans FC 2008/09.

The teams are led on to the Highbury Avenue pitch by the officials.

Referee Mark Ayre with a sleepy Pete Jones (Left) and Andy Byrne.

We're underway as Red Rose in the yellow kick off.

Jordan Spedding (White)

The Quilligan's FC bench.

'You grab my arm and I'll pull your shirt.'

The girl in the background tells her mate it was 'this big'.

Steven Brookes.

Andrew Speight.

An agile tip around the post by Red Rose keeper Smiffy.

Well taken at one end.

……………..and at the other.

Big………ear rings.

Danny Rowe evades the lunging tackle of Sean Slater.

The ball flashed across the Quill's box but it wasn't converted.

In the first half Red Rose were well on top and created the best opportunities whilst enjoying good spells of possession.  They hunted in packs and allowed Quills no time on the ball anywhere on the pitch.  Danny Rowe had a couple of shots from outside of the box but thankfully for Smith they were well off target.

Half time score :  Red Rose Catering FC 0 – 0 Quilligans FC.

Half time and as the locals start to gather for the 'Daz Smith memorial match' the kids make the most of the interval and have a kickabout but who's on which team?.

Sporting the famous 'Old Vic FC' shirts.

Harry Spedding makes his first appearance on Fyldesport (Sat with dummy )

Sean Slater comes away with the ball at pace.

Despite the credit crunch the Fleetwood tattoo parlours are still doing good business.

Slater attempts to nod a cross over the head of Speighty but the Quill's keeper was up to the test.

Red Rose manager Andy Manning (Centre) watches on from the Red Rose bench.

Carl Faber on early for the injured Scott Sugden.

Brett Dawson.

Robbie Boal

Peter Taberner (Left) alongside Darren Hall.

60 minutes there was a great chance for Red Rose.  The ball beats the keeper but the striker's shot deflects on to the post.

Before being finally grabbed by Speight following an amazing goalmouth scramble (More like 'Oops up side yer head' for all of you eightie's dancers)

On 64 minutes Red Rose took the lead.  A John Beaver's inswinging free-kick from the left eluded everybody in a crowded penalty area and found the far corner.  1-0.

'What happened there?' asks manager Spedding.

Tony Wood gives Tabs the magic sponge treatment.

Good chest.

''

The 'human shield' Danny Rowe keeps Slater at bay.

On 75 minutes Carl Faber gets on to the end of a fine throughball and slots it past the keeper for the equaliser.  1-1.

Quill's players celebrate.

John Beavers – 'Made in Fleetwood'

On 90 minutes with the crowd expecting extra time a Red Rose shot was wickedly deflected.  The spinning ball looped over the back four, the flag stayed down and Brett Dawson lashed a first time effort past Speight giving the Quill's keeper no chance as it arrowed across him into the far corner.  2-1.

Great celebrations from the Red Rose contingent.

Sean Slater (Right)

Referee Mark Ayre blows the final whistle.

Final score :  Red Rose Catering FC 2 – 1 Quilligans FC

Quills' manager Mark Spedding shakes hands with the officials who had a good game.

Quill's players collect their runners up medals.

As do the officials.

John Beavers lifts the Premier Division Cup for Red Rose Catering FC.

The Red Rose players celebrate.

A well deserved top honour in Sunday football for Red Rose manager Andy Manning.

In summary this was an exciting and close Premier Division Cup final that Red Rose Catering FC deserved to win.  They were really up for it from the start and never gave their opponents a moment to settle on the ball.  Apart from a brief spell after the equaliser Red Rose enjoyed the majority of the possession and created the best goal mouth opportunities.  Quills had an off day and looked a little lethargic and for once they were short of ideas and craft.  The few opportunities that they did create were restricted to Danny Rowe long range efforts but unusually he was off target this afternoon.

There were some big performances today for Red Rose especially from Beavers, Slater, Didlock, Gillett and Hall but in all honesty you could have given the Mano of the Match award to any of them but in the end I gave it to the winning goalscorer Brett Dawson.  A raw talent who just gets his head down and goes for it.  He played like he'd never heard of Quilligans and his goal typified his performance.  In the 90th minute most youngsters would have taken a touch and looked for composure but he just threw his foot at the dipping, spinning ball.  Most times it would have ended up over the back of the stand but this afternoon it went like an arrow into the top corner.  Who dares wins…………….

Winning goal hero Brett Dawson.

A great day of Sunday football action at Fleetwood Town FC

Sportspy 2008/09

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