THE BEAL FAMILY - (Graham Beal Memorial Trophy)
LEAGUE TWO CHALLENGE TROPHY FINAL
(Sponsored by FACTORY FLOORING DIRECT)
SWAN DIVE FC picked up their first trophy since joining the NDSFL 3 seasons ago, with this win in the LEAGUE TWO CHALLENGE TROPHY Final.
The rain stopped and with the ground in good condition the game started with a bang with CONISTON TAVERN going in front in the first minute when HARRY DAVIES cut in from left flank to give CONISTON the lead with a crisp finish. Clearly caught cold, SWAN DIVE started to gain momentum and on 6min - Nath Mcinnes is threaded through on goal, but the defender catches him up and the shot is blocked for a corner. The game was evening up with Dive now looking dangerous going forward. They win a free kick on the right of the box which is punched clear by the Coniston keeper.
Prasant Tamang for SWAN DIVE has a long range effort well tipped over by MATTHEW ROBINSON in the Conny goal, with Swan now on top the equaliser looked on and it duly arrived on 18 minutes. Frazer Mullins bullet header from a corner pulling SWAN level from a corner kick. It is now all SWAN DIVE, SAM FENWICK'S shot keeps Robinson on his toes with a neat drive.
SWAN DIVE started strongly after the break, and it was no surprise they look the lead on 65 minutes. - Mullins wins a header from a cross which floats over to Nath Mcinnes who heads them in front. They’ve been the better team and deserve their lead. Coniston see a man in the sin bin for dissent looking for an offside that never came . With a quarter of an hour to play CONISTON are starting to come into it, they are through on goal Kieron Brehon can’t fully connect with his shot and it’s easily saved by Swan keeper Anil Gurung. Coniston throw the kitchen sink at it and make 2 changes throwing more players forward, but SWAN DIVE hold on to take the tie.
The game was excellently controlled by Referee Ciprian Grosu, and his team, Brian King, Neill Love and Craig Ward.
Both Clubs were a credit to themselves and the League, with RESPECT being the order of the day "WELL DONE"
