Shaftesbury Youth (2:1 after extra time) Davenham FC (Hill)
Travelling to Tranmere on a cold wet afternoon, with Hodnett, Antrobus, Shaw and Greenwood all unavailable, to play a Cheshire County Cup match versus an unbeaten Shaftesbury Youth team was the challenge set to the Davenham outfit. High flying Shaftesbury were unbeaten in the Wirral 1st division and had thumped in 22 goals in their 5 matches..no worries, though, Davenham have become accustomed to competing against the odds!
Davenham rejigged their team and anticipating a tough early encounter (kicking up the hill too!), set up with a new 4:1:4:1 formation. Heaword picked up the lone striker role and his energy and application was outstanding not only in the early encounters but throughout the whole game, while Kirkness picked up the defending centre mid role, again playing an excellent game. Davenham looked to absorb the pressure in the first half, to have a good look at their Wirral counterparts. The Goldmen were winning the key encounters, with Hill and Drinkwater playing superbly at the centre of the defence and at the other end of the field, the boys from Mid Cheshire still managed to create several good chances with Whitney threatening to whip in a goal from distance and Kennerley and Heaword always looking dangerous on the counter attack. However, it was the high flying Shaftesbury who took the lead with a well taken freekick from distance. On an extremely wet pitch, the ball gathered pace off the surface and skidded straight into the corner of the net, leaving the Davenham defence and Wallwork no chance. Davenham can count themselves a little unlucky to concede as against expectation it was they who had been playing all the decent pass and move football. The boys werent deflated and kept to the game plan throughout the first half, keeping goal side, breaking up the Shaftesbury play early in their half and keeping possession well. Going into half time 0:1, there was still great anticipation that the game was there for the taking.
Come the second half, Davenham took to the pitch with determination, desire and a real verve to their game. Kicking down the hill, invited them to play with a more attacking 4:4:2. The great form of Rogerson and Wadsworth continued and as Kennerley remarked, these guys are playing their best ever football at the moment, really pleased with them. Davenham kept possession well and made all the running in a very one sided second half. Chance after chance went for Davenham, with Kennerley, Wadsworth, Heaword, Rogerson, Dufty and Kirkness all going close..but none closer than Rogerson who slotted past the Shaftesbury keeper for what looked like a certain goal, only for the ball to stop in the mud on the goaline unbelievably bad luck for Davenham! Despite the travelling army trying to blow the ball over the line it wasnt to be. The Davenham management continued to work hard with their tactics and substitutions. It was difficult for the midfielders on an extremely heavy pitch and with so many players unavailable, the changes had to be made to keep the Davenham energy at an optimum. Then with five minutes to go, and Davenham having switched to 3:4:3, Hill popped up in a goalmouth scramble and blasted an equaliser into the net. 1:1 and game on! Sensing a late victory, Davenham continued to attack and despite half chances, the classic Cheshire Cup clash progressed into extra time.
Shaftesbury looked dead and buried, Davenham full of optimism. However, the home boys rallied and a strong 10 minutes saw them take the lead. A lead, which Davenham, despite great endeavour were unable to pull back. So, Davenham bowed out of the Cheshire Cup to huge applause from the travelling army who knew they had been entertained by a really exciting game. Davenham reflected that they wouldnt have won this competition, so what better way to exit than to play the way that they did, playing the better pass and move football, listening to the coaches and never giving up. Thirteen weary heroes travelled back to Mid Cheshire, defeated but proud of their days work. Drinkwater and Hill were outstanding all game, but it was the little magician, Heaword who took the MOTM great play.
And finally, good luck to Shaftesbury and we hope for a summer friendly! ;0)