Reaction: The Mikes Reserves clinch cup double
Barwell Reserves 1-3 The Mikes Reserves
Thursday 6th May 2010
Midland Football Combination Challenge Trophy Final
The Mikes Reserves travelled to Kirkby Road for the second time in a week, rounding their season off with a third successive Challenge Trophy success thanks to a dominant second half display. This secured both Reserve League cups, after the Challenge Bowl success against Quorn.
The Mikes were a pale shadow of their usual selves in the first half as they didn’t get off the blocks at all. Barwell started the livelier and deserved their early lead. Vijay Sidhu weaved his way along the bye line, before his driven cross ricocheted off the unfortunate Adam Swain for the opening goal. The Mikes made absolutely no headway in the game, but managed to restrict the home side from any further clearcut chances.
It was a different story after the break. The Mikes totally dominated proceedings and were soon level, courtesy of Marlo Barrett’s fine header from Andre Gonzales’ beautifully flighted free kick. It looked a case of when rather than if the Mikes would take the lead and the second duly arrived from another Gonzales set piece. The home keeper lost the ball under pressure from Johaine Thompson and Jack Stone bundled the ball home from close range.
The Mikes couldn’t quite kill the game off, but Adam Jenkins remained untested. The third did arrive in the dying seconds, when Tom Law broke clear before unselfishly squaring for Thompson to walk home his 34th goal of the season.
Rob Clarke reflected: “I was glad to get to the half at 1-0. The first half was unrecognisable and Mick Hawkins told them so in no uncertain terms at half time, which is a rarity. As shocking as the first half display was, the second half was impressive in equal measure. We got a grip of the midfield and they just couldn’t get the ball. The lads got the shape right in the second half and played some good stuff. In the end, it was a fitting way to round off what has been a very good season. To win both league cups is a real achievement of which the lads should be very proud.”
Midland Combination Challenge Trophy 2009/10
Round 1
Banbury United 1 - 3 Barwell
Boldmere St. Michael's 3 - 2 Gresley
Quorn 8 - 2 Walsall Wood
Heather St. John's 2 - 1 Highgate United
Quarter Finals
Brocton Reserves 1-4 Quorn
Barwell 3 - 2 Bromsgrove Rovers
Boldmere St. Michael's 2-0 Oadby Town
Chasetown 2 - 0 Heather St. John's
Semi Finals (2 Legs)
Barwell 0-0 Quorn
Quorn 0-3 Barwell
Boldmere St. Michael's 0-0 Chasetown
Chasetown 1-2 Boldmere St. Michael's (aet)
Final
Barwell 1-3 Boldmere St. Michael's
