Ascension : VC Rangers Win Closely Fought Final Of Flipper Trophy
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 15.01.2004 (Article Archived on 05.02.2004)
Georgetown 1 v VC Rangers 2 (after extra time)
Georgetown 1 v VC Rangers 2 (after extra time)
The arrival of the teams reflected their characteristics, the VC Rangers arrived in a young, flashy bus from the Base while Georgetown arrived in a much older vehicle which indicated the team’s experience as it appeared that they had overnighted prior to the game in the town’s luxury hotel (I wish!)
Prior to the game the teams were lead out on to the pitch, lined up and were joined by the crowd in observing a minute’s silence in memory of Andrew “Flipper” Bennett. The teams were then presented to Penny Bennett and Ray Ellick.
Alan Thomas had a busy first half in the Georgetown goal, beginning with a good dive to his left to deny the VC Rangers’ first attack, including saving a free kick from the VC’s No. 6 and turning a shot from “Rocky”, VC’s no 14, away for a corner. Daniel John then hit shots over the bar and at Alan.
In reply Marti Joshua was bundled off the ball as he advanced, alone, towards the Ranger’s goal. Nicky John sprayed the ball out to the left wing, ran into the box and on to the return pass but hit his shot over the bar as he was challenged by a defender in front of Paul Thomas, the Rangers’ keeper. Chocolate had a shot over the bar before the action again centred on the Georgetown goal.
“Rocky” hit over the bar from the centre of the box before Steve Caswell had the best shoot of the half saved by Alan catching the ball above his head.
The half closed with a good shot from Marti Joshua after good work on the left.
Georgetown scored early in the second half, Nicky John beat both Paul and the last defender to leave himself with a simple shot into the net. Surprisingly for a team with so much age...err…experience, Georgetown then made the classic mistake of relaxing after their goal. Perhaps the shrieking of a celebratory claxton confused the Firemen amongst the Georgetown players, in any case Steve Caswell was able to capitalise and bundled the ball into the back of the net where it was joined by half the Georgetown defence who were shepherded into their own goal by Gary Robinson.
The action during the rest of the second half alternated between goal mouths; Ryan Moyce had a shot blocked for the Rangers, Chocolate shot wide as three Georgetown attackers bore down on the Rangers’ goal. Steve Caswell ran across the Town’s box turned away from goal and passed to “Rocky” who lost control of the ball. “Rocky” had a further shot saved and then blasted high and wide, before Nicky John ran right to left across the Rangers’ box and shot back to the right narrowly passed the post.
As extra time loomed both sides made a number of substitutions including the replacement of Johnny Hobson by Alan “Pickie” Stevens. Before the match Johnny had been asking me to describe him as “ever-youthful” or “ever-green” but afterwards asked me not to mention “old age” – I have nothing to add to Johnny’s own words!
The first period of extra time began with a period of VC pressure; one of the Rangers’ substitiutes, Adrian “Kenny G” Henry, missed three chances including a long shot after Georgetown had cleared a corner and Ryan Moyce shot wide and then at Alan.
Steve Caswell then latched on to a through ball and with only Alan Thomas to beat, it looked as though he had lost control when he and the advancing Alan collided, the Ref awarded a penalty much to the surprise of the majority of Georgetown fans. Errol Thomas duly converted the spot kick
In the 2nd half of extra time Denny Leo capped his gutsy midfield performance which won him match of the match, with a booking and for all Georgetown’s efforts the Rangers never look like giving up their hard-won lead.
After the game Andrew Kettlewell presented Hearts, the League Champions, and Refugees, the runners up, with their trophies. The US Base won the District and Marti “van Nistelrooy” Joshua won the golden boot (but owes me a beer for the nick-name) with Ryan Moyce runner-up.
Caz Yon then said a few words on behalf of C&W who had sponsored the Flipper Tournament for the 2nd year, particularly thanking Chocolate and Alan Pickie for leading the organisation of the event.
Penny Bennett then presented the Flipper Trophy to VC Rangers and Denny Leo was awarded man of the match.
Georgetown
Alan Thomas
Gary Robinson, Johnny Hobson Adriaan Crowley Mario Green
Neil Lawrence, Denny Leo Gavin Yon Dorian Caswell
Nicky John Marti Joshua (Capt.)
Subs: Patrick Robinson Alan Stevens Adam Henshaw
VC Rangers
Paul Thomas
J O’Conner Anthony George Errol Thomas David John
William Johnson Steve Yon Ryan Moyce (Capt.) Steve Caswell
Cardonal Green Andrew Osborne
Subs: Robert Bedwell Adrian Henry Ashley Fowler
Officials
Ref Martin Cranfield
Assist Refs Russell Yon Martin Andrews
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