BRIAN DOWSETT MEMORIAL CHALLENGE TROPHY FINAL
Sponsored by STOCKINGFORD PAVILION CLUB
With the sun shining brightly the first floodlit Final of 2023 saw WITHERLEY UTD RES take on SUNNYSIDE INN (NUNEATON) FC in the final. The first half was very open and even as both teams saw few clear cut chances. In a competitive phase of the game both midfields plied to gain the advantage.
On 25 minutes the first clear cut chance fell to Witherley's TERRY MOORE who dragged his shot wide. Sunnyside countered and from a free kick on 30 minutes they went close from a header. With half time in sight neither team could afford to make any mistakes, when referee WILL MADDERN waved away Sunnyside appeals for a penalty, that was close.
Following an even first half we did not have to wait for a breakthrough which came on 47minutes. Witherley's NATHAN BILLINGTON received the ball in the box with his back to goal, takes a clever touch before hitting the opener. Game on - Sunnyside's ELLIOT PALMER heads over from a free kick, back came Witherley JAMIE ECCLES going close followed by a KIERAN GRAHAM shooting wide on 74minutes.
Sunnyside were by no means out of the game as JOSH VARDEN takes on a tricky first time shot which sailed wide. Witherley respond, ALEX TAYLORSON lays a pass to BILLINGTON, who with only the keeper to beat scuffs his shot. As we entered the last 10 minutes and with time running out, when Sunnyside levelled the score. JARRED LAVERICK fed DEANE COOKE, whose first effort was blocked, but the rebound was clinically dispatched, to the delight of the whole Sunny contingent.
As we enter the 90th minute it looks like a Penalty Shoot Out beckons, but wait a moment, 2 minutes into added time, a free kick just outside the box, TERRY MOORES shot is palmed away but straight onto the head of ALEX TAYLORSON who seals it for Witherley.
Congratulation also go to Referee Will Maddern and his team of Alex Tarr, Neil Love & Glyn Watkins.
Big Thanks to NUNEATON HARRIERS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION & NICK WILSON for the use of the Excellant facilities at the PINGLES STADIUM.
