Netherton victory

May 10 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

NETHERTON halted YMCA's hopes of writing a new chapter in the history books with victory in the Under 16 Cup final.

For the first time ever, two teams from the same club had the chance to win the league's two major trophies.

The first team picked up the Division I title last week and now the second team had the chance to give YMCA a unique double.

But first they had to overcome an emerging Netherton whose end-of-season League performances had given them a top-four finish in the First Division.

The game started as it was to continue with neither side being given any time or space on the ball.

YMCA's tenacity gave them an early advantage, and they forced a number of corners in quick succession, one clearance resulting in a fierce shot which Netherton were happy to see fly just wide of the mark.

At the other end, Jordan Peel looked to have scored but his goalbound header was cleared off the line, only for Dean Midwood to crack home the opening goal and give Netherton a little half-time breathing space.

Neither Oliver Jones, in the Netherton goal, nor his opposite number, Brett Thornton, were given much to do in the second half as both sides struggled to find a way through.

Tom Hale, worked hard to carve out opportunities for YMCA but Joshua Harling and Peel were equally determined for Netherton, and with time ticking away both sides were becoming increasingly aware that one goal either way could possibly settle it.

Luke Webb came agonisingly close to an equaliser but, with the goal at his mercy, fired straight into Jones' hands, and moments later the equaliser looked certain but Harling was in posiiton to clear Edward Hamlett's goal-bound shot off the line.

The introduction of substitute Adam Choma gave Netherton a new shape and, after suffering some heavy pressure, they began to turn the tide.

Choma and the speedy David Cyrus were now causing YMCA problems and they were rewarded when Choma drilled a pass into the path of Cyrus whose shot from 12 yards gave the keeper no chance.

A wave of relief went around the ground as the Netherton faithful finally believed they had the game won.

"YMCA were much better than I thought," said a relieved Netherton manager, Richard Harling after the game.

"They battled all the way and caused us all kinds of problems, but the lads hung in there and I think we just about deserved it."