Goalie Bainbridge saves it for Stanbury (From Keighley News)

Goalie Bainbridge saves it for Stanbury

2:32pm Thursday 26th April 2007

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Stanbury Park Rangers 3 New Variety Club 3 (aet) (Stanbury won 7-6 on penalties) An exciting Jeff Hall Memorial Trophy final between Stanbury Park Rangers and New Variety Club had as many twists and turns as an Agatha Christie murder mystery.

It commenced at Cougar Park on Friday when, in the first minute, Variety Club won a corner. Adam Ackroyd took it but it was only partially cleared by Stanbury, and Ackroyd quickly moved into the box, won the ball and made no mistake in putting it into the back of the Stanbury net.

This goal appeared to lift Variety Club and for the next 25 minutes they had the better of the exchanges. Stanbury keeper Dave Bainbridge made a great save in the 15th minute and in the 26th minute Joe Blacka shot inches wide of Variety's goal.

Stanbury began to control play and after both 'keepers had made good saves Stanbury deservedly equalised in the 40th minute through Dave Armstrong.

Variety 'keeper Neil Ackroyd made a great save and then Stanbury's Andy King, with only the 'keeper to beat, shot wide to keep the score 1-1 at the break.

In the first minute of the second half, Stanbury were denied the lead after another Ackroyd save.

Ten minutes later, it was their turn to deny Variety with a goal-line clearance and shortly after the ball went inches wide of their goal.

Play went from end to end with both keepers busy and Variety coming more and more into the game. However, in the 75th minute King tapped the ball into the net for Stanbury after a goal-mouth melee.

In the 85th minute a goal, which would not have been out of place at the new Wembley, was scored - a cracker from 20 yards out by New Variety's young player Liam Jefferies.

In extra time, play swung from end to end but Andy Carr gave Variety the lead in the 12th minute of the first period. Then, with only minutes left and Variety about to celebrate, the Stanbury manager brought on sub Mat Gilmartin, who shortly after his entrance, broke down the right and put in a perfect cross for King, who headed into Variety's net. The game went to penalties which Stanbury won 7-6 on a save by Bainbridge.

The trophies were presented by Jack Holmes, president of the Keighley & District FA. The Man-of-the-Match trophy was awarded to Variety keeper Neil Ackroyd.

Keighley & Aire Valley Sunday Alliance League Three Horses 2 New Variety Club 3 Due to their efforts in the Jeff Hall Cup final New Variety consisted of the walking wounded and Mark Westfall, one of their leading scorers, was in goal. The first period saw Three Horses control play and their efforts were rewarded with two goals. After the break, Variety Club went on the attack scoring three goals two by Lee Hickman and one by Martin Croake.

Stanbury Park Rangers 2 Keighley Athletic 2 Stanbury, winners of the Jeff Hall final, were also slowly off the mark and had conceded two goals without reply by the break, Stuart Nicholson and Steve Kernam being the scorers. In the second half they fought back to earn a draw with Dave Nelson heading in from a corner in the 50th minute. With five minutes to go, Stanbury again found the net with a goal from Dave Alderson who headed in from a corner.

Eastwood Tavern 0 Cavendish Hotel 3 In the first half Eastwood Tavern kept their opponents at bay and so the interval arrived without any score. In the second half Cavendish took command, finding the net three times. John Emmott, Jamie Reece and Brian Eastman scored Cavendish's three goals.

Keighley Youth 2 Keighley Royal 4 Only one goal was scored in the first half and this was by Royal. The second half saw Royal score a further three goals and Keighley Youth replied with two. Royal scorers were Michael Dickenson (2), Andy Nelson and Dave Harman. Dale Hanson was their Man-of-the-Match.

Keighley Victoria 3 Albert Hotel 4 Seven goals were scored in this encounter with Albert being there up at the break. In the second half Vic fought back to level the scores only for a blunder by their keeper allowed Albert to take all three points. Steve Cook (2) and Mick McNally were the Vic scorers.

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