Dimmock Green KO Cup
Semi Final
Coleford Athletic 1 Meadow Rangers 2
Saturday, 04 February 2006
Meadow progressed to the Dimmock Green Knock Out Cup Final with 2 goals in the last minutes in a match full of passion effort and good football, typical of these two sides. Coleford dominated the early stages, Lance Cray putting Dan Welch through but keeper Ty Cook was quickly off his line to thwart the effort, Cook then saved from Cray and Welch was narrowly wide. Meadow came more into the game with Rusty Griffiths the games outstanding player pulling the strings in midfIeld having an effort saved by home keeper Laurie Bigden as did Joey Quinn. A good chance was then hit wide by Quinn. Towards the end of the half John Billing was close for Coleford and Charlie Walton hit the bar, the 0-0 half time score probably about right.
The second half began with Cray just shooting over, tempers briefly flared and Griffiths was wide for Meadow. Both sides had shouts for a penalty turned down before one was given for a blatent hand ball in the Meadow box, which was confidently put away by Les Allen. Coleford's efforts to finish the game off were thwarted as chances for Cray, Welch and Tony Burton went begging. The home team retreated into their own half in the last 15 minutes as Meadow pushed forward and Quinn shot across goal with a good chance, the excellent Nick Parr and his defenders stubborn resistance looked like holding out.Three minutes remained when Adam Cray gave a free kick away on the edge of the box, Griffiths placed the ball and hit it into the top corner for the equaliser. Coleford were stunned and barely a minute later Scott Balmond confidently scored, Coleford had grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory for their first home defeat of the season, 2-1 the final score. Coleford man of the match was Nick Parr. Saturday is the last eight of the Junior Cup, coach leaving the Eagle at 11:30am for the trip to Perry Street and Yonder Hill.
COLIN SHOTTER
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