Seend United FC 0 Frome Collegians Reserves 1
HOLLAND FIRES COLLEGIANS TO A&B CUP GLORY
Trowbridge & District League, Division One champions, Seend United arrived at the Platinum Hyundai Park Stadium, home of Westbury United FC on Tuesday evening looking to banish the memory of their Knockout Cup Final loss at the hands of Warminster Town Reserves the previous week.
For Andy Dyer’s side they would have been favourites to lift the PAH Accounting sponsored A&B Cup as standing in their way of a second piece of silverware this term were Frome Collegians Reserves who they had already beaten on three separate occasions this season.
Like the previous week where Seend had three goals ruled out and missed a hosts chances that cost them dear, it was a case of da-ja-vu as a host of missed chances and on this occasion the woodwork that came to Collegians aid on three occasions was to be the difference between the clubs as a solitary George Holland goal was all it took to earn Collegians a 1-0 triumph over a Seend side who for a second successive final had been the better side on the night but yet again a lack of an out and out striker proved costly.
Collegians got the final underway and it was Karl Freeman’s side who applied the early pressure before Seend got a foothold in the game and it was the villagers who so nearly broke the deadlock on 4 minutes, a long clearance from their own 6 yard area found Derek Wheeler who outpaced his marker, his shot beat the Collegians keeper Ryan Hancock but struck the base of the post and rebounded into the hands for Hancock.
In the 7th minute it was Collegians turn to test their luck in front of goal, Tom Brown’s cross picked out the unmarked 11 who fired a good chance from 6 yards wide of the target.
Derek Wheeler weak effort on 10 minutes went in to the arms of keeper Hancock who moments later kept the score line goalless with a smart stop to deny Matt Purdy an opener for Seend.
Frome Collegians took the lead on the half hour mark, the ball falling kindly to George Holland whose well struck effort from 18 yards flew beyond a despairing Kieran Turner to put the underdogs 1-0 up.
George Holland celebrates what turned out to be the winning goal for Frome Collegians Reserves – Picture courtesy of Martin Pearce
Seend made a much better start to the second period and went close on a couple of occasions to fashioning and equaliser, a Charlie Waylan corner evaded everyone when a touch from defender or attacker would have level things up. Collegians keeper Hancok also did well to keep out James Cox’s effort.
On 55 minutes the tricky feet of Matt Purdy took beyond his marker and for the second time in the game, the post came to Collegians rescue as Purdy’s shot rattled the upright with the keeper well beaten.
With Seend throwing everything at Collegians as they looked for a way back into the tie, they came up against a defence determined to hold on to what they had, Matt Purdy saw his goal bound effort blocked while Collegians keeper did well to push a Charlie Waylen corner to safety, but only to Rich Hudson who arrived at the far post but couldn’t turn the ball home.
On 65 minutes Seend’s Matt Purdy saw an effort cleared off the line and Jack Woolsgrove saw his follow up blocked headed away by a Collegians defender.
All eyes on the ball as the Collegians defence to to head clear another Seend chance. Picture courtesy of Martin Pearce
With Seend bossing the second period, Frome Collegians were reliant on scraps and they almost went close to doubling their advantage, Ben Bullus seeing an effort saved by keeper Kieran Turner, before seeing a shot miss the target by inches.
A last throw of the dice from Seend manager Andy Dyer make a late substitution by introducing K P and with almost the last kick of the match the villagers were again denied by the woodwork as the striker saw his 25 yard effort hit the post before being cleared to safety.
At the final whistle, Frome Collegians Reserves had somehow survived a second half onslaught from Seend, but they were they were the team that would be lifting the PAH Accounting sponsored A&B Cup for 2024.
League Chair, Sam Gooding along with Phil Hendy from the competition sponsors may the presentations to the Finalists and Winners for whom captain Nathan Burrows lifted the cup.
Seend United’s Matt Purdy picked up the Player of the Final awarded which is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Mounty a former player in the League.
Matt Purdy – PAH Accounting sponsored A&B Cup – Player of the Final. Picture courtesy of Martin Pearce
