1st Team Captain's Report

Saturday 8th March 2008

David Beesley Cup Semi Final

Cheadle Hulme vs Cheadle

Cheadle Hulme hosted Cheadle in the semi final of the David Beesley Cup on Saturday. Cheadle, with the inclusion of England veteran Phil Lynch bolstering their already sharp shooting attack and having already beaten the men in black on their two previous league meetings this season, must have expected to complete the hat trick and book a place in the final of the prestigious competition.

The game started to form and despite Cheadle Hulme dominating possession from face off and playing some patient attack, it was the visitors who took a two goal lead, converting well from what was possibly their only two chances of the quarter. Hulme on the other hand seemed determined to make the Cheadle goalie look a world beater with some wasteful finishing until two ‘slick’ finishes from the frankly gorgeous Tim Sayers brought the score to two all at the quarter time whistle.

The second quarter was much the same as the first with Hulme’s hard working midfield again ensuring plenty of possession for the wildly misfiring attack to waste up front, and despite Hulme’s defence having an excellent game it was the visitors who scored again to take the lead at half time.

Hulme started the third quarter in determined mood, knowing this was there only shot at glory this season, having blown the league with some inconsistent performances. The defence continued to shut out Cheadle’s danger men and the midfield stifled tiring Cheadle legs. Finally the Hulme attack found it’s range with the majestic Ransome scoring a neat top corner on a man up, a powerful finish from the irksome Peacock and the normally placid Bicknell scoring with an unusually angry shot after some good work behind goal by the gazelle-like Ransome. Hulme continued to defend manfully but could not prevent Cheadle from scoring again. Hulme would have gone in at three quarters with a slender lead, unfortunately their Welsh international defender Gareth Jones had a momentary lapse of concentration, perhaps dreaming of the valleys, and let his man slip in to score an equaliser just before the break.

The fourth quarter was a nervous affair with neither team wanting to make the error that would cost them a place in the final. The Cheadle Hulme midfield continued to work tirelessly to prevent Cheadle from moving the ball into attack, with Kevin Rudduck in particular having an outstanding game. The deadlock was finally broken when the Cheadle defence attempted to dismember the non scoring Ben Denison in front of goal. From the resulting man up Ransome scored again to put Cheadle Hulme in front for the first time in the game.

With a lead to protect and less than five minutes in the match, Hulme called a time out and resolved to retain possession for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately being Cheadle Hulme this was not possible, Tim Sayers (stunning. Really) demonstrated his sense of humour with some comedy shooting and the attack as a whole seemed determined to turn over possession and give Cheadle just one more chance and their fans something to cheer for. It was not to be however, thanks mainly to some excellent saves from Will Smith (who had been in excellent form throughout the game and seemed strangely determined not to lose this one, can’t think why) and some fearless defending from Hulme’s big sticks, Pollock, Moore (the wrong), Jones (the Steam) and White, Cheadle Hulme ran out deserved 6 – 5 winners and can now look forward to the final at Rochdale.

See you there

Ben Ransome

Saturday 1st March 2008

Boardman & Eccles A vs Cheadle Hulme

7 - 7

Match Reports 06/07

Match Reports 05/06