Harrogate Veterans FC 2
Pelsall Villa Vets 1
Harrogate Veterans FC confirmed their status as the country’s top veterans team by clinching the Umbro Veterans Masters Cup at Rushden & Diamonds, Nene Park Stadium last Sunday. It was their second season of triumph at the Over 40s level but once again they left it late into the game to clinch victory with the winning goal struck with just four minutes remaining.
Walsall based Villa started brightly but the first chance of the game fell to Harrogate’s Ian Blackstone who broke clear of the defence only for Pelsall keeper Davies to save well. Shortly afterwards Harrogate keeper Alaister Hogg was relieved to see Villa’s Keith Russell fire straight at him when the forward broke through. On an excellent playing surface, both teams sought to play the ball through midfield but generally defences were on top as the teams reached half time. Pelsall had edged the half but Harrogate had come the closest to scoring when Pete Collier’s blistering drive struck the bar.
Having played three times as many games this season as their opponent, Harrogate were always likely to finish the game stronger but the northern team were grateful to Hogg for an outstanding save from Kevin Christopher’s clever flick as Villa’s front two continued to test the Harrogate defence. At the other end, a flowing attack saw yet another fierce drive strike the Villa bar, this time from Ian Simpson.
With a quarter of the game remaining, Harrogate brought on Godwin Douglas and within seven minutes he created the breakthrough, going past two defenders to shoot at goal, his shot was blocked by a third defender but John Deacey was following up to prod the spinning ball inside the near post to give the Veterans the lead.
1-0 looked enough to win the cup for Harrogate, but just six minutes later, Pelsall were awarded a penalty. Earl Grey slid in to take the ball successfully from Christopher but in following through took the player down as well and was penalised. There was though no doubting the resultant kick by Russell, as the ball flew past Hogg for the equaliser.
Pensall were lifted, but with the minutes ticking away Douglas went on another run, twisting past defenders and drawing them to him only to slip the ball to his left for Simpson to drive home from the edge of the box to restore the lead for Harrogate.
There was still time for an anxious moment in the Harrogate box but Hogg once again came to the rescue amidst a crowded area and then it was all over and another national success for the Harrogate side.
A delighted Harrogate boss, Paul Bell was full of praise for his team and particularly their second half performance. “ It was our 36th match of the season, but rather than being tired, we finished the stronger team against a very good Pelsall side who are one of the best Veterans teams we’‘ve faced. To be recognised as a very good Veterans team though, we need to keep coming back to these finals and hopefully we can continue to do that with the players we now have in the squad.”
England (Harrogate Veterans) win Seniors World Cup in Thailand
