Amateur Football Combination vs Southern Amateur League 2005

THE STEVE LANGLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY

AMATEUR FOOTBALL COMBINATION  1  SOUTHERN AMATEUR LEAGUE  2

played at Potters Bar Town FC on Tuesday 15th November 2005

"SAL RETAIN TROPHY IN SUPERB ADVERT FOR AFA FOOTBALL"

It was perhaps no surprise that with so many AFA Representative players on view, this game was of the highest quality and thoroughly enjoyed by all the spectators from both camps.The result was in doubt until the final whistle, although the winners probably just about deserved the win on the day. From the first whistle the game was played at an incredible pace and the Referee Brian Broadbridge remarked after the game that at times he was worried that he might not last the full 90 minutes.

There was an explosive opening when, after 3 minutes, a free kick was awarded some 25 yards out and Jack Costello for the AFC struck the shot with such venom that SAL keeper Dan Ashley could only parry the ball and Ben Fox who first on hand to poke in the rebound. Within a minute the SAL could have been level. Neil Hughes with a brilliant long ball from one wing to the other found Ben Penfold who shot over with a first time volley. Within two minutes the hosts forced a corner and from the kick Ashley saved well from a header by Chris Thomas.Shortly after the keeper again made a smart save to deny the AFC who looked like increasing their lead. Slowly the SAL started to control midfield and on the quarter hour mark Ashley's opposite number James Holdsworth showed his class by pushing a fine left foot strike by Andy Hingley round the post. The AFC always looked threatening up front with Meadonians teamates Ed Glover and Albert Adomah combining well to keep the SAL defence on their toes. At the other end Neil Hughes with his trickery was causing similar trouble and it was no surprise that after 35 minutes his persistence created the equaliser. Turning swiftly in the box he was brought down for a penalty which was duly converted by Penfold. With two minutes remaining in the half Hughes was at it again. An amazing dribble, leaving defenders in his wake, released the ball to Penfold who effort was well blocked at the near post by Holdsworth. From the resulting corner the ball was cleared off the line, much to the relieve of the AFC beleaguered backline. The first period ended 1-1 with all the players deserving a well earned rest as well as the officials.

Once again the AFC started the second half brightly and Ashley made another point blank save to keep the scores level. Play was end to end with no quarter being given by either side. On the hour mark the deadlock was broken. Once again Hughes was involved. A free kick was awarded on the far right for a shirt pull on Hughes. Osman Okkaya produced a left footed long ball into the box which was well headed back by Neil Hurst into the danger area and James Ayres was on hand to volley the ball home from close range. The AFC responded well but Ayres was like a brick wall at the back marshalling his defence superbly to deny any clear cut chances. However, after 75 minutes a free flowing move down the left hand side released Glover whose first time low cross found Costello whose shot went wide of the left hand post. With the minutes ticking by it was the SAL who finished the stronger. With 5 minutes remaining Findlay broke from midfield releasing debutant Ryan Moore on the left. His cross was met by Hughes who was just wide with a first time effort. With the referee looking at his watch Penfold broke down the left and a deep cross was met by Moore whose diving header went agonisingly wide of the far post. A final score of 2-1 was deserved on the day in a great game of football played in true AFA spirit by both sides.

After the game, following the usual thanks to everyone by Jim Buttress, Chairman of the AFA and John Miller, Chairman of the SAL the Trophy was presented to the SAL captain Neil Hurst by Dennis Langley, father of Steve. Stewart Minors Manager of the AFC side then presented the usual man of the match awards to Neil Hughes (SAL) and Brian Hanley (AFC).

AFC: James Holdsworth (Old Hamptonians), Dwaine Rhone (Old Meadonians), Chris Thomas (Old Aloysians), Brian Hanley, Jack Costello, Ben Fox, Albert Adomah (Old Meadonians), Adrian McMorrow (Albanian), Lee Reynolds (Parkfield), Ed Glover (Old Meadonians) and Paul Tumelty (Shene Old Grammarians). Subs: Tom Pearce, Rupert Cope, Jeff Lovell (Old Meadonians).

SAL: Dan Ashley (Norsemen), Chris Shaw (Old Salesians), Peter Gyles (Winchmore Hill), Alex Benjamin (Brromfield), James Ayres (Old Salesians), Neil Hurst (Winchmore Hill), Osman Okkaya (Old Wilsonians), Andy Findlay (Civil Service), Andy Hingley (Winchmore Hill), Neil Hughes (Broomfield) and Ben Penfold (Winchmore Hill) . Subs: Andy Ratcliffe (Civil Service), Ryan Moore (Ibis), Ben Willis (Winchmore Hill).

Officials: Referee: Brian Broadbridge. Assistant Referees: Bart O'Toole and David Littler.