LINTHWAITE completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever seen in an RCD Cup final when they defeated Halifax Irish in extra time to land the Under 13 silverware.
For an hour there was only ever going to be one winner as Halifax Irish cruised to a comfortable 3-1 lead, but a last-ditch change of tactics by Linthwaite manager Martin Phillips turned the game on its head.
Linthwaite were able to battle back and force extra time at 3-3 before going on to win 5-3 in the end.
Mark Everingham gave Halifax the lead from the penalty spot after 10 minutes and, although Harry Freeth leveled for Linthwaite 10 minutes later, the Colne Valley side were under constant pressure as James Denny, Toby Thorpe, Leo Zito and Josh Powers took control.
And it was no surprise when Luke Bridges restored Halifax’s lead just before the break at 2-1.
Despite finishing within five points of the league title, Linthwaite were being completely outplayed by their Second Division opponents and, by the time Bridges had increased Halifax’s lead 15 minutes into the second half, the result seemed a foregone conclusion.
That was especially so as Linthwaite’s normally solid defence of Ben Boulton, Nathan Oakes, Dominic Ellam and Callum Harrit-Brown struggled to get out of their own half.
But when manager Phillips changed the formation by pushing Freeth into attack, it transformed Linthwaite and the game.
Freeth reduced Linthwaite’s deficit with just 15 minutes of the game remaining (3-2) and suddenly, with their lead reduced to one goal, Halifax were under pressure for the first time.
After dominating the game for so long, the surprise of having to defend their lead left Halifax in disarray and the team, along with most of the large crowd, were stunned when Freeth completed his hat trick to level the game five minutes before the end of normal time.
Having been within touching distance of victory, Halifax’s confidence was shattered and manager Paul Keane faced a tough job restoring their faith as the game went into extra time.
But Linthwaite were in the ascendency and, with Callum Harriot-Brown, Liam Rielly, Dominik Moorhouse and Tom Greenidge now in control, Linthwaite’s belief that they could go on and win the game was tangible.
When Clayton Phillips gave them the lead for the first time at 4-3, Halifax’s grip on the cup was slipping fast. A fifth Linthwaite goal from Tomi-Mac Creaghan five minutes from time finally crushed Halifax’s hopes and secured a stunning victory for Linthwaite.
Having already secured the Second Division title, Halifax’s disappointment will be tempered by knowledge they will have the chance to play Linthwaite again next season as First Division rivals.
