THE THIRLAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

MONDAY MAY 10th 2011

CASTLE TO FACE TOWN AT HEARTLANDS

So it will be second against third in the Division 2 Play Off Final at the Heartland Stadium after Mender Castle and Yorbury Town both battled their way through in their respective semi-finals.

The Knights had looked very cagey in their first leg game at Swifthorpe Town, and the Swifts took a deserved lead midway through the second half when Merv Lancaster fired home a vicious cross from Gary Hannibal. Hannibal himself should have given the home side a more comfortable cushion after turning cleverly inside Billy Rufford, but frustratingly he failed to hit the target despite dragging his shot beyond Pete Crompton. Don Guthrie must have been bemused by his side's disappointing show, coming after such an excellent season. They had finished the season eleven points and twenty goals better off than their opposition. But if there is one thing Mender Castle have it is spirit, and despite this lackluster performance Phil Floyd was still able to nod home a Anthony Wainwright corner in the dying seconds to give them a reprieve. Again they failed to shine in the second leg back at Bridge Road but a solitary strike by Mike Tait was suffice to seal the victory. Jaded the Knights do look, but Guthrie will be encouraging his side for one final push on Saturday.

Their opponents to be Yorbury Town, have certainly been the side in form in recent months, and the way they battled to third position by the end of the season was full testament to the whole club. They secured second leg home advantage courtesy of goal difference alone but it was to prove telling in the end. Purlthorpe got off to a flying start in the first leg in Purlshire. Just three minutes had passed when Chris Gilbert put them ahead with a fantastic strike on the half volley, Richie Black just looking on helplessly. And Gilbert had theWestling Avenue crowd in a frenzy just ten minutes later, as he prodded home the ball after a scramble inside the Yorbury area. But if the home supporters believed it was going to a stroll, Yorbury had other ideas. Ely Sumner brushed the post with a long drive, before Petta Budd turned away a stinging effort from Karl Little. Purlthorpe hoped that the half time break would relieve some of the pressure but the visitors continued to break forward in numbers in the second half, and they ultimately reaped reward. Mick Gibbs started and finished a lovely move in the sixtieth minute, his composed finish nestling in the bottom corner. The effort up to this point clearly took its toll as Gary Naylor's side wearied, but they seemed content to take the one goal deficit back to County Wreen. Things however started badly again for them back at Everley Park as Paul Halton gave Purlthorpe the lead. This time however Yorbury wasted no time, as Will Hodgkiss headed home a Dan Truman free kick and the tie was once more opened up. Just before half time Yorbury finally levelled things on aggregate. And it was their inspirational skipper Mick Gibbs once again, this time breaking through the Purlthorpe defence and lofting the ball over the outstretched Neil Teskry. Yorbury certainly had the bit between their teeth and their regular forays were pushing the visitors further back inside their half. The crowd urged their heroes forward, and were in unison when the ball struck against the hand of Mick Fairclough on the edge of the six yard box. Although unfortunate on the United player, he had blocked the shot of Ray Nicholson,but the ensuing red card may have seemed a little harsh by the referee. Don Truman showed no sympathy however as he rocketed the ball home and steered the Vikings into the final. It's certainly set up to be an enthralling encounter as the consistent meet the inform. With so much at stake, it is certainly one to look forward to.

In Dvision Three two epic encounters saw Canmay United win through against Pendler side Wellester Rangers while Derwen City finally overcame Merriport after extra time. The two sides will meet at Heartland on Sunday.

 

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