Amateur Football Combination

Affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance, London F.A., Middlesex F.A. and Surrey F.A.

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Yorkshire Old Boys v Amateur Football Combination 2004

Yorkshire Old Boys 1 Amateur Football Combination 1 - 17th April 2004 at Adel Old Boys, Leeds - played for the Jerry Hildersley Trophy.

Match Report

A stunning strike from Jack Costello kept the AFC's hands on the Jerry Hildersley trophy in Leeds. The hosts were looking to snatch the trophy for the first time since 1997 and had plenty of chances to do so.

Roundhegians' Imran Mughal put Yorkshire ahead after 58 minutes when he slammed the ball past James Holdworth at the second attempt. That looked to have decided an enthralling contest until Meadonians midfielder Costello smashed in a glorious volley from the edge of the area when a corner was only half-cleared. "I just swung my foot and hoped for the best," said Costello. "It was a goal you dream about."

Andrew Clarke and David Jordan wasted early chances for the hosts but first half play was blighted by two tight offside traps and several misplaced passes. Jonathan Brockett crashed a volley narrowly wide of the AFC's goal on the stroke of half-time and, just after the interval, Tom Fay blazed across the face of goal when Holdsworth dropped the ball under pressure from Clarke.

Mughal put Yorkshire ahead, but give minutes later goalkeeper Ian Taylor was the home hero when he pulled off a fantastic save to tip Costello's free kick round a post. Clarke then fired wide when one-on-one with Holdsworth before Costello crashed in his crucial goal.

Man-of-the-match Chris Hitchings twice scraped the AFC woodwork when the raiding St Nicholas fullback's crosses went across the face of goal without the necessary touch. The AFC could have snatched victory at the death when substitute Michael Dermott twice found himself clean through, but he first shot wide and was then denied by Taylor's legs.

Visiting manager Stewart Minors was happy to settle for the draw, and as holders retain the trophy. "We needed a brilliant goal to keep hold of the cup" he said. "It would probably be fairer to decide it on penalties when it's level."

Assistant manager John O'Brien came on as a substitute to mark his 100th Representative appearance, only the second player to achieve the feat after Ignatians' team-mate Dave O'Grady.

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