Newlands grab League Cup success with Edgehill win

Newlands lifted the League Cup at Pickering Town after a 2-1 victory over Edgehill tonight.
League Cup final report by Daniel GregoryLeague Cup final report by Daniel Gregory
League Cup final report by Daniel Gregory

After the game was called off twice in recent weeks, play was finally possible at Mill Lane on a bright evening, and it was Shaun Mancrief’s men who lifted the silverware after a 2-1 victory over their lacklustre opponents.

Park grabbed the initiative early on when Jamie Stewart’s clumsy challenge on Brad Rowley gave ref George Roberts no choice but to point to the spot.

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Striker Drew McCoubrey calmly slotted home from the spot to put Park 1-0 up.

It was all Newlands as Edgehill’s ball retention was poor and they almost fell further behind, but two efforts from Jack Hakings narrowly missed the target, the second a long-range effort that flew just over after a neat drag back to find himself a yard of space.

Mancrief’s men could and possibly should have increased their lead heading into the break, but veteran Jamie Gallagher and Stefan Moon’s headed efforts both flew past the wrong side of keeper Liam Giles’ post.

Neither side impressed in the opening 25 minutes of the second half and it looked like Park were going to cruise to the victory until they were reduced to 10 men - Moon sent for first use of the showers after directing foul and abusive language towards a match official.

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Edgehill threw Mikey Barker, Nick Ellis and Dave Bell on to try and find that bit of magic required, and Barker was quickly into the action as he flew down the left flank and sent in a couple of searching crosses.

One of these crosses eventually fell to Danny Collins, who smashed into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 and set up a tense finale.

It would have been harsh on Newlands had Edgehill levelled up, such was Park’s dominance up to that point, but Steve Clegg’s men alost got level on a number of occasions.

First Henderson, who was now finding more space to operate in, forced Will Rowley into a smart stop from distance, before another strike from a similar area flew just over the bar and away to safety.

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Edgehill launched one last attack and again went close, but Newlands enjoyed the little bit of luck their dominant performance warranted as Collins’ low effort somehow managed to stay out of the net via the help of the post and Rowley.

Park boss Mancrief hailed his winning side. He said: “I had to pick a strong team tonight and they battled hard tonight.

“I thought the back four were brilliant, they all played well.

“We haven’t had a great season as we haven’t had that consistency, so to win this competition is brilliant.”

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Park defender Paddy Mancrief recieved the Steve Coulson Memorial Trophy after being named man of the match following a dominant display, while Drew Mcoubrey impressed in the absence of Sean Exley and Ben Luntley up top, and veteran Gallagher was impressive for the victors.