13 Sept 2007 - Steve Gee Merit Cup Final Redmires take Merit Cup

The Steve Gee Merit Cup went to CBC Premier Redmires as they overcame their Division One rivals Handsworth Old Boys 3-1 in a top quality final at the Look Local Stadium, Stocksbridge.

The game was just five minutes old when Sean Downing raced onto a through ball to stroke the ball calmly past the Handsworth keeper, but if Redmires thought they were going to have it all their own way, they were very much mistaken. It was Handsworth that dominated the rest of the first half and after both Dean Smith and Trevor Jones had gone close, just before the break, Jones side-stepped a defender and the keeper to chip the equaliser.

They weren't level for long though as Redmires again started the half quickly and after an almighty scramble in the Handsworth penalty area that saw the ball hit both the bar and a post, the ball fell to Danny Lindley to smash Redmires back in front. They extended their lead soon after when Andy Birks swivelled to fire home and only a terrific goalline clearance by Karl Atkins stopped Rob Womack adding a fourth. Handsworth (pictured left)  did their best to get back into the game, but Redmires keeper Karl Tiler only had one save of note to make and the trophy went to Redmires. 

Thursday  7 Sept 2006 - Steve Gee Merit Cup Final - 

FAIRBANK RHODES 'BASH'ED BY TRAVELLERS

Ecclesfield Travellers lifted the Steve Gee Merit Cup for the first time as two Paul Bashforth goals and one from Craig Senior gave them victory over Fairbank Rhodes.

There was more than an element of good fortune about Bashforth's first as his cross seemed to deceive the keeper to go straight into the net and there was some doubt as to whether he meant the second which flew over the stranded keepers head.

Dean Grayson did well to set Mitchell Robinson up for a chance he couldn't miss and Fairbank Rhodes were nearly back on level terms when Matt Nestor shot just wide, but Travellers settled their nerves with a third when Craig Senior got onto the end of Scott Johnson's cross for a real poachers goal.

On an emotional night the trophies were presented by the late Steve Fairbank's parents Janet and Keith Fairbank.

2005 Final at Stocksbridge Park Steel's, Bracken Moor 8 Sept

GEORGE HIT BACK TO DENY VILLA CUP DOUBLE

In May, Hemsworth Villa came from behind to win the League Cup at Bramall Lane, but in the Merit Cup Final the boot was on the other foot as Wes Pierce and Michael Towey goals helped Woodhouse George come from behind to lift the trophy for a second season in succession.

2004 Final at Stocksbridge Park Steel's, Bracken Moor 9 Sept

WHAT A MATCH, BY GEORGE
Woodhouse George 5 v 3 Stannington Village

George take Merit Cup in thriller

The The first trophy of the season went to last season's Division One champions Woodhouse George when their power in front of goal proved to much for a Stannington Village looking to be only the second side to complete the treble.

Village started brightly and went ahead after just four minutes when Nick Phelan fired home and it only looked a matter of time before they added to it, but just after Simon Howe's head stopped got in the way of one of his team mates' goalbound effort, they were pegged back by a brilliant chip over the keeper by Wes Pierce.

That gave George the belief they were sadly lacking early on and on the half hour it was Pierce again at the back post to stab home Michael Blythen's cross, but their lead lasted little more than five minutes as Simon Howe beat the offside trap to beat the keeper with ease.

It stayed like that until the break, but the second half was less than a minute old when Pierce crossed for Chris Towey to restore George's lead with a powerful header.

George really got on top and it was no surprise when they extended their lead with a brilliant solo goal from the outstanding Michael Blythen and soon after the best move of the game saw the Village tore open and Blythen couldn't miss from Michael Towey's cross.

Village were stunned, but they gave themselves some hope when new signing Jimmy Munday provided a good low finish to Howe's through ball and they poured forward in search of further reward, but it wasn't to be and it was George that collected their first major honour.

It had been a terrific advert for Sunday football, helped enormously by a superb Stocksbridge Park Steels, Bracken Moor pitch and the handling of the game by referee Alan Streets and his assistants Paul Wilson and Simon Hunter.

I SAY OLD BOYS COME OF AGE
Despite their oldest player being just 21, Handsworth Old Boys came of age by beating Hemsworth Villa 4-1 in the Steve Gee Merit Cup Final to lift their first ever trophy.

Stocksbridge Park Steels' Bracken Moor stadium gave the perfect setting for the final and in the early stages it looked very much like ACC Milk Cup holders Villa would go on to complete a cup double, but, after having the lion's share of the possession, they were rocked back on their heels when Robert Pratt refused to give up a lost cause and crossed for Shane Rollinson to flick on for Alex Whitham to make no mistake from close range.

Villa worked hard to get back into it and were rewarded when levelled in style before half time and just after the break they had a couple of good chances to take the lead, but they were again stunned when Danny Franklin restored the Old Boys lead from the edge of the area.

The Old Boys then had a spell when they could do no wrong. Whitham hit his second when he cut inside before unleashing a left foot drive and a few minutes later the left foot of Robert Pratt made it four.

Villa tried hard to get back into it, but it was the Old Boys night and it was their skipper Mark Barnsley that stepped forward to collect his club's first ever trophy.

Awards | News | Clubs | History | Sponsors | Management

Email : sssl