Cup Final Report - England Hockey

Men's 2nd XI Cup Final

SOUTHGATE 3 (3)
William Cottam 8,10 (PC,F)
Richard Blackburn 34 (F)

SHEFFIELD HALLAM MLS 3 (0)
Ben Farrar 45 (F)
Nick Sims 53,68 (PC,F)

*Sheffield Hallam MLS won 5-4 on penalty strokes.

The game was played in bright sunny conditions and with a good crowd watching the match was played at a cracking pace. Southgate had the better of the opening period but Sheffield were always a threat making good use of the ariel from the back.It was Southgate who took the lead however after 8 minutes when Richard Blackburn's penalty corner was well saved by the Sheffield keeper but William Cottam was on had to volley the ball into the net to the delight of the home supporters. Southgate immediately drove forward from the restart and had Sheffield pegged back. After 10 minutes William Cottam broke down the right, rounded the keeper and slotted home from a narrow angle.

Sheffield to their credit never gave up and despite being two goals down always looked a threat. It was Southgate though who increased their lead when Richard Blackburn, driving forward from midfield, struck the ball firmly into the goal from the edge of the D. Three goals ahead at the break put Southgate in a commanding position and their supporters expected them to press home their advantage and go on to win comfortably.

It was not to be though and after the half time interval Sheffield seemed to be pressing from all over the pitch despite going down to 10 men twice in the half for technical rather than nasty offences. Sheffield pushed an extra man in attack and Southgate were struggling to hold them out. Eventually the constant pressure told and Sheffield pulled one back 10 minutes into the 2nd half when Ben Farrar scored a rebound from close range after great work from Alex Bailey and Andy Mills down the right side. Mid way through the half they added a second from a penalty corner by Nick Sims who slammed the ball home with a strike from the top of the circle. Southgate were really wobbling but looked like they still had just enough gas in the tank to hold Sheffield out but it was not to be and in the 68th minute Sheffield got the equaliser they had worked so hard for when Nick Sims broke free of the Southgate defence to round the keeper and hit a reverse stick shot from a tight angle in the left hand side of the circle.

A tremendous achievement to come back from three down at half time and at full time Sheffield could have won it with a penalty corner on the final whistle. The corner was well defended by Southgate and the game went into extra time. Sheffield might have been favourites to push on and win the match but Southgate somehow hung on and the game went to penalties with Sheffield winning the shoot out 5 - 4 on sudden death after each side having one stroke saved in the first five.

Both sides should be congratulated for making the final such an exciting game for the spectators to watch and also playing the game in the right spirit. After losing in the final last year in extra time Sheffield were delighted to win the game.