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Harrison spot-on as Netherton lift trophy
NETHERTON 1 WREFORDS TRANSPORT 0 (Northants Sunday Cup final)
NETHERTON 1 WREFORDS TRANSPORT 0 (Northants Sunday Cup final)THIS was a famous win achieved in a very modest manner.
In the not so distant past city sides in the Northants Sunday Cup mirrored Arsenal in Europe - lots of promise, but few trophies.
But Netherton have bucked that trend by claiming the most prestigious crown in the county twice in the last three years. To them it does not matter a jot that they were dragged down to the level of very limited opponents in the final at Kettering Town FC.
Wrefords Transport are bottom of their Northampton-based league and it showed, but Netherton failed to take full advantage of their obvious superiority and so were forced to endure some nervy moments in the final minutes.
Jon Harrison's coolly-taken spot-kick just past the half-hour (very cool as he missed a penalty last Sunday) eventually settled the contest, which was justice of sorts as Wrefords committed so many cynical and crude fouls one suspected Vinny Jones was on their coaching staff.
Harrison had been felled in the area himself and really the goal should have led to a comfortable win, but chances for Adam Scotcher, Harrison and Jon Stead came and went, while Scotcher and Stead also struck the outside of a post.
Those opportunities arrived despite Netherton rarely reaching their regular stylish heights (possibly because several key men were carrying knocks) and as a result the fear of an undeserved equaliser was always apparent.
Fortunately a defence well marshalled by John Treliving remained solid for 90 minutes.
Goalkeeper Dave Beeney did have to dive bravely at a forward's feet in the first half and he reacted superbly to tip a stinging free-kick over the crossbar 20 minutes from time, but once immaculate full-back Ian Hair had made a key goalmouth interception deep into injury time the celebrations could start in earnest.
Netherton boss Roland Dean, who only took charge midway through the current campaign, said: "We didn't play very well, but we deserved to win.
"We have beaten some very good sides to get to the final though and to win this competition twice in three seasons is a fantastic achievement by the club."
Netherton were as usual backed by a raucous set of fans whose devotion to the cause appeared to take Kettering officials by surprise, so much so that they confiscated an inflatable banana midway through the second period, presumably mistaking it for an offensive weapon.
It summed up a bizarre night which also included some disappointingly weak refereeing and regular stoppages in play because of match balls flying out of a compact ground, something Kettering should be used to now that former Posh hoofer Guy Branston plays his football there.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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