Post by nonleaguereview on Feb 11, 2015 16:27:27 GMT
The Development Squad bowed out of the Lancashire League Cup in the regional final stage following a sudden death penalty shoot-out defeat against Colne.
It was a strong team put out by the coaching team, with a blend of youth, and a few first team players through the spine of the starting XI.
Ian Ormson started in goal, Jordan Fagbola partnered Connor Hancock in the heart of defence, Bobby Lofthouse skippered the team from central midfield while Nathan Woolfe added pace in the attacking third.
Not to mention the continued rehabilitation of Danny Murray with recent development squad graduates, Charlie Russell and Matthew Todd also benefiting from first team football this season in the starting XI.
As the teams took to the field for a late 8:30pm KO, we were informed the match will finish on the night with penalties deciding the outcome should the teams be level after 90 minutes, which indeed, sadly turned out to be the case.
The opening quarter of an hour was typical of a cup final, with both sides looking to settle and few chances created. However it was The Hatters who looked the strongest and that showed just under the 20 minute mark when they took the lead.
Bobby Lofthouse swung a delightful ball in from a free-kick on the left and young Michael Hampson was on hand at the far post to emphatically convert and put County one up.
With the one goal lead, County looked to build, and despite the majority of possession, couldn't create anything clear cut and extend the advantage.
As the half wore on, Colne got back into the game and were deservedly on level terms with the last kick of the first half.
Colne midfielder Chris Anderson made his way forward and was upended by Matthew Todd inside the area, the referee had no option but to award a spot-kick and Lee Barrett made no mistake from 12 yards out.
The game barely had chance to restart from the resulting kick-off and the sides went in level at the break.
HT: Colne 1-1 Stockport County
The second half brought chances aplenty for both sides. Nathan Woolfe looked to have done everything right after rounding the keeper, before seeing his goal bound effort cleared off the line by a recovering Colne defender, with further efforts from Charlie Russell and Jordan Rogers failing to test the keeper.
At the other end, twice Ian Ormson denied Brandon Barski with a couple of fantastic saves and Jordan Fagbola making a near goal line clearance himself.
As we approached the 90 minute mark, news was filtering through that Brighouse had just defeated Harrogate Railway on penalties in the East Division Final and would provide the opposition in the Grand Final for the victors here.
There was a slight glimmer of hope for County as Colne centre half Jonathon Hodgkinson was sent off for two bookable offences in the 90th minute, but alas it was a little late in the evening to have any affect on the eventual outcome.
There was no late winner, and the West Division final would be settled by the same fate as the East Division, the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Colne won the toss and opted to take the first penalty, which was duly dispatched leaving it to Charlie Russell to level up.
The stand in skipper with Lofthouse substituted earlier on showed real composure as his kick sent the keeper the wrong way and we were all square after 1 kick each.
A pattern formed from the remaining spot-kicks with The Hatters mirroring Colnes efforts, Woolfe and Young saw their efforts saved, while Noblett and Fagbola both scored for County taking the tie to sudden death.
Colne scored theirs leaving it to the unfortunate Michael Hampson, who having scored the opening goal of the game, blazed his penalty over the bar sparking scenes of jubilation from the Colne bench as they celebrated reaching the grand final.
It wasn't to be on the night for the Young Hatters but the season isn't over. There's around 10 games left in the league, and a top 3 spot is well within reach.
They may have missed out on silverware, but some success can be measured by the number of graduates making their way from the Development Squad in to the first team already.
Charlie Russell is a regular starter at the moment, Matthew Todd had a great spell earlier in the season before an unfortunate injury kept him out of the side for a while and Connor Hancock and Joe Noblett have tasted action in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
And if the continued development of others is anything to go by, they certainly won't be the last.
FT: Colne 1-1 Stockport County
Colne win 4-3 on pens
Team: Ormson, Todd, Hughes, Noblett, Fagbola, Hancock, Russell, Lofthouse (Capt.), Hampson, Murray, Woolfe.
Subs: Thompson, Powell, Young, Hartley, Rogers, Blackwell, Crosthwaite.
It was a strong team put out by the coaching team, with a blend of youth, and a few first team players through the spine of the starting XI.
Ian Ormson started in goal, Jordan Fagbola partnered Connor Hancock in the heart of defence, Bobby Lofthouse skippered the team from central midfield while Nathan Woolfe added pace in the attacking third.
Not to mention the continued rehabilitation of Danny Murray with recent development squad graduates, Charlie Russell and Matthew Todd also benefiting from first team football this season in the starting XI.
As the teams took to the field for a late 8:30pm KO, we were informed the match will finish on the night with penalties deciding the outcome should the teams be level after 90 minutes, which indeed, sadly turned out to be the case.
The opening quarter of an hour was typical of a cup final, with both sides looking to settle and few chances created. However it was The Hatters who looked the strongest and that showed just under the 20 minute mark when they took the lead.
Bobby Lofthouse swung a delightful ball in from a free-kick on the left and young Michael Hampson was on hand at the far post to emphatically convert and put County one up.
With the one goal lead, County looked to build, and despite the majority of possession, couldn't create anything clear cut and extend the advantage.
As the half wore on, Colne got back into the game and were deservedly on level terms with the last kick of the first half.
Colne midfielder Chris Anderson made his way forward and was upended by Matthew Todd inside the area, the referee had no option but to award a spot-kick and Lee Barrett made no mistake from 12 yards out.
The game barely had chance to restart from the resulting kick-off and the sides went in level at the break.
HT: Colne 1-1 Stockport County
The second half brought chances aplenty for both sides. Nathan Woolfe looked to have done everything right after rounding the keeper, before seeing his goal bound effort cleared off the line by a recovering Colne defender, with further efforts from Charlie Russell and Jordan Rogers failing to test the keeper.
At the other end, twice Ian Ormson denied Brandon Barski with a couple of fantastic saves and Jordan Fagbola making a near goal line clearance himself.
As we approached the 90 minute mark, news was filtering through that Brighouse had just defeated Harrogate Railway on penalties in the East Division Final and would provide the opposition in the Grand Final for the victors here.
There was a slight glimmer of hope for County as Colne centre half Jonathon Hodgkinson was sent off for two bookable offences in the 90th minute, but alas it was a little late in the evening to have any affect on the eventual outcome.
There was no late winner, and the West Division final would be settled by the same fate as the East Division, the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Colne won the toss and opted to take the first penalty, which was duly dispatched leaving it to Charlie Russell to level up.
The stand in skipper with Lofthouse substituted earlier on showed real composure as his kick sent the keeper the wrong way and we were all square after 1 kick each.
A pattern formed from the remaining spot-kicks with The Hatters mirroring Colnes efforts, Woolfe and Young saw their efforts saved, while Noblett and Fagbola both scored for County taking the tie to sudden death.
Colne scored theirs leaving it to the unfortunate Michael Hampson, who having scored the opening goal of the game, blazed his penalty over the bar sparking scenes of jubilation from the Colne bench as they celebrated reaching the grand final.
It wasn't to be on the night for the Young Hatters but the season isn't over. There's around 10 games left in the league, and a top 3 spot is well within reach.
They may have missed out on silverware, but some success can be measured by the number of graduates making their way from the Development Squad in to the first team already.
Charlie Russell is a regular starter at the moment, Matthew Todd had a great spell earlier in the season before an unfortunate injury kept him out of the side for a while and Connor Hancock and Joe Noblett have tasted action in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
And if the continued development of others is anything to go by, they certainly won't be the last.
FT: Colne 1-1 Stockport County
Colne win 4-3 on pens
Team: Ormson, Todd, Hughes, Noblett, Fagbola, Hancock, Russell, Lofthouse (Capt.), Hampson, Murray, Woolfe.
Subs: Thompson, Powell, Young, Hartley, Rogers, Blackwell, Crosthwaite.
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