MBDA Take Frank Neville Memorial Cup...

Sunday saw the Frank Neville Memorial Cup Final at The Boro’. Division Four side Broadhall ‘A’ started the game with a 2-0 advantage, so it was an uphill task for MBDA. However, Paul Kersey’s glancing header from Sam Harwood’s free-kick reduced the arrears. A handball in the box saw Broadhall equalise from the spot courtesy of Michael Emmings. Harwood’s volley put MBDA back in front and Kyle Watson sent the game into extra-time with the third after the normally-reliable Will Harris mis-judged a long Jake Tyler free-kick. The extra thirty minutes was a non-event as substitute Phil Fisher bagged the first of his hat-trick with a sublime lob and Ashley Kersey grabbed a brace to take him to 50 goals for the season as they won 8-3 overall. It was the club’s first-ever silverware at the 21st year of asking. It was fitting that Frank’s daughter Elaine Wilson presented the cup at the game, just ten days before the first anniversary of the great man’s passing.

In Division Two, Stevenage Fencing fielded just 9 players are were hammered 18-2 by Probuild Reserves to open up the title-race again. Ricky Case did most of the damage, scoring six. The goal of the game was from Dean Allen, who drilled the ball into the top corner from the half-way line. There was also a first ever competitive goal for Lee McManus, who jinked past three players before lobbing the advancing ‘keeper. Probuild’s Lee Reece, who had taken over from Stu Howard between the sticks superbly saved Kyal Currey’s penalty but the Fencing goalkeeper, who come onto pitch due to injury to Craig Gilbert, followed up to smash the rebound home. Reece then had a penalty of his own saved by Gilbert. Lee Gribben scored and classy hat-trick, the pick being a run from his own box to fire home. Right-back Matt Jackson and Craig Braine grabbed a brace each and there were solo goals for centre-backs Steve Skinner and Chris Balazs aswell as reliable winger Elliott Bunn.