North Ferriby United win Doodson Sport Cup

An extra-time master-class allowed North Ferriby United to lift their first ever Doodson Sport Cup at Eastwood Town’s Coronation Park, snatching three goals in the additional half hour after a very even first 90 minutes.

The first half ended goalless, but both sides came very close to open the scoring just before the break, Ferriby keeper Adam Nicklin making a last-ditch intervention to thwart Ahmed Obeng, and his opposite number Chris Gemmell pushing a Gary Bradshaw header around the post.

Nicklin was again in top form early in the second period, punching Mitchell Tolley’s deep cross over the bar, and Tim Taylor cleared a header from Rushall centre half Nick Amos off the line. Ferriby sensed victory with 14 minutes to go when Decio Gomes brought down Wayne Brooksby in the box and Russell Fry converted the penalty, but just a minute later, Chris Bolder went in late on Luke Bottomer to give Rushall a spot kick of their own, which Tolley duly dispatched to restore parity and 90 minutes ended one apiece.

Ferriby began extra time in all-out attack mode, and just two minutes in, Gemmell was forced into two crucial blocks from Brooksby and Tim Taylor, but Taylor snuck the ball over the line at the second time of asking to re-establish the Villagers’ lead. Five minutes later, another Taylor shot was blocked from Fry’s corner, but Gregg Anderson was on hand to tap home the rebound and give Billy Heath’s side some breathing space. Chris Bolder killed off any remaining hopes of a Rushall revival early into the second fifteen minutes, running onto a lay-off from Bradshaw and powering low into the middle of the goal.

Man of the Match: Gregg Anderson (North Ferriby)
Entertainment Rating: 4 stars
Attendance: 256

Ferriby: Adam Nicklin, Steve Gardner (James Williams, 70), Nathan Peat, Danny Clarke, Gregg Anderson, Paul Foot (c), Wayne Brooksby, Russell Fry, Tim Taylor, Gary Bradshaw, Chris Bolder Subs not used: Sam Belcher, Sam Denton, Louis Kirk, Steve Wilson

Rushall: Chris Gemmell, Mitchell Tolley (Martyn Naylor, 99), Johnny Haynes, Lucan Spittle (c), Decio Gomes, Nick Amos, Ahmed Obeng, Grant Beckett, Kyle Brady (Danny Campbell, 86), Alex Melbourne (Gary Fitzpatrick, 65), Luke Bottomer Subs not used: James Skedgel, Alex Forde