Stockport savour treble triumph
STOCKPORT have secured a memorable treble of titles this
season after clinching the Norman Barber Knockout Cup with
victory over Manchester Waconians.
The Beech Road club, who were beaten by Timperley in last
year's final at Stockport Road, avenged that loss with a 9-4
victory over Manchester Waconians in this year's showcase
final on the same ground.
England Under-19 attacker Thomas Gosnay top-scored for Stockport
with a hat-trick of goals, while braces from Simon McGuigan
and Danny Dignan, and further strikes from Tom Patterson and
Chris Brown completed the scoring.
Wacs led 2-1 and saw 16-year-old midfielder Josh Shingler
and Nicky Watson both on the scoresheet twice, but Stockport
pulled away having been held at 2-2 after the first quarter,
to edge ahead 3-2, 6-3 and 9-4 respectively.
"We knew it would be hard to win because Wacs are a good
side, but the lads wanted to make up for losing the final
last season," said Simon Rowlinson, the Stockport coach.
"To win three titles in a season is a great achievement,
but it's been solid team performances in every match which
has won us the title."
Stockport defeated Timperley 2-1 in a successful defence of
the Ted Donnet Trophy earlier this season, and also clinched
the Autumn Floodlit League Conference A title on goal difference,
a competition the club have won for the last four years.
Cheadle got the better of Poynton in a real battle in this
year's Norman Barber Plate final. The Kingsway Sports Club
side triumphed 10-8 having been in front throughout 2-1, 5-2
and 7-4.
Adrian Bennett, who scored Cheadle's last two goals, ended
the match joint top-scorer with Martin Patterson, both netting
hat-tricks, with Luke Bartram (2), Daniel Ives and Daniel
Much also on target.
Sam Russell replied with three goals for Poynton and Tom Giddins
(2), Dave Jordan (2) and Rob Keogh all scored, but Cheadle
held on to take the spoils.
Results
Men's Norman Barber Northern Knockout Cup (Stockport Road,
Timperley) - Cup final: Stockport 9 Manchester Waconians
4 (QS: 2-2, 3-2, 6-3, 9-4). Plate final: Poynton 8 Cheadle
10 (QS: 1-2, 2-5, 4-7, 8-10).
|