Clevedon Town 0 Hillingdon Borough 3 (agg: 1 - 4)
Hillingdon Borough, from Division One South & West, deservedly won the Errea Cup with a 3-0 win, 4-1 on aggregate, over a poor Clevedon Town side at The Hand Stadium tonight. Clevedon may well point at a lack of fit players, a dreadful refereeing mistake that cost the hosts a goal and the fact that they dominated territorially but in honesty they got what they deserved and you must give great credit to Hillingdon for their hard work, determination, organisation and for taking their chances. They claimed their fourth Premier Division scalp of the campaign, all away from home, and congratulations to their players and officials on their triumph.
With Scott Hendy suspended, and Mike Trought and Steve Cook not fully fit, the team picked itself and there was little sign of what was to come as Clevedon dominated the opening half with Kris Leek and Mitchell Page having early chances. Clevedon failed to really test Lawrencin in the visitor’s goal however and, just like the first leg, Hillingdon came more into the game as half time approached with Nelson shooting just wide. Nothing prepared the home side for what happened in the final minute of the half however, when Sam Byfield picked up a loose ball and let fly with a scorching shot from almost 30 yards that gave Danny Greaves no chance and gave the visitors a surprise half time lead.
Clevedon brought on Matt Prosser at half time in place of Kyle Bassett and again put pressure on the visitor’s goal but there was huge controversy in the 55th minute as the referee denied Clevedon a clear goal. Craig Loxton’s fierce free kick from the left was held by Barclay Lawrencin in Hillingdon’s goal but he toppled back and the ball was clearly well over the line, with the linesman, standing right on the goal line clearly indicating a goal. The referee thought otherwise though and waved play on, with the linesman infuriating the home supporters by then putting his flag down and refusing to attract the referee’s attention to what he had clearly seen. This incensed Clevedon and they laid siege to the visitor’s goal for a spell with several near misses but their frustration was apparent and their discipline seemed to wane as too many loose passes and aimless balls littered their game.
Hillingdon to their credit kept their shape well and Page and Prosser were hardly given an opportunity to shine by a well organised defence who were quicker to the ball and showed more determination than their hosts. They were also trying to catch the home side on the break as they were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser and in the 81st minute the visitors increased their lead after a defensive mix-up. Sam Byfield tapped home his second of the match after Hillingdon broke down the right and put a low cross into the box which was somehow missed by Danny Greaves and Mike Trought to the joy of Byfield and the travelling fans behind the goal. Clevedon by now had to commit men forward but their play was ragged and they never looked like getting a goal back and it was left to Hillingdon to add a further goal in injury time. Dave Lawrence waltzed through the home defence and his low cross from the touchline was again tapped home on the back post, this time by Danny Tilbury.
The final whistle then blew on a bad night for the Seasiders but they frankly got what they deserved and Hillingdon joyously went on to receive the cup from Barry Bradshaw representing sponsors, Errea. Clevedon were left to lament missed chances in the first leg and a refereeing error but all credit to the winners, Hillingdon Borough. When you travel to Banbury, Bashley, Kings Lynn and Clevedon in reaching the final, and win all four matches then perhaps you deserve to have your name engraved on the famous old trophy.
Gallery
Team Sheet
| No: | Name: | Sub: | Goal: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greaves | ||
| 2 | Brigham | ||
| 3 | Haines | ||
| 4 | Bater | ||
| 5 | Trought | ||
| 6 | Scott (Capt) | ||
| 7 | Leek | ||
| 8 | Loxton | ||
| 9 | Page | ||
| 10 | Bassett | ||
| 11 | Sylvester | ||
| 12 | Prosser | 10 | |
| 14 | Cook | 11 | |
| 15 | - | ||
| 16 | - | ||
| 17 | - | ||
| Own Goal | - |
Match Details
| Date: | 22/04/08 |
|---|---|
| Competition: | Errea Cup Final (Second Leg) |
| Opponents: | Hillingdon Borough |
| Venue: | The Hand Stadium Davis Lane Clevedon North Somerset BS21 6TG |
| Half Time: | 0 - 1 (agg: 1 - 2) |
| Full Time: | 0 - 3 (agg: 1 - 4) |
| Attendance: | 233 |
| Match Report: | Steve Small |
| Photographs: | Tony Merrett |
| Match Sponsor: | - |
| Match Ball Sponsor: | - |
| Notes: | First Leg 1-1 (22/04/08) |
Downloads
| Appearances & Goal Scorers | Word Document |
|---|---|
| Team Sheet Matrix | Excel Document |