Cumberland County League’s Benevolent Cup final far from comfortable

The winning Pirelli squad after their Benevolent Cup victory over Whitehaven Miners. Picture: MLP Sports photography

The Cumberland County League’s Benevolent Cup final was expected to be a comfortable win for Premier Division champions Pirelli.

But First Division opponents Whitehaven Miners actually scored first and made them fight all the way for a 5-2 victory.

It was a great day, however, for the Miners who were led out for the game by their under-7s youth team.

Miners couldn’t have asked for a better start when they took the lead as early as the second minute. A throw-in for Miners found Paul McNally who despatched the ball beyond the Pirelli keeper leaving a stunned defence in his wake.

It took Pirelli 11 minutes to restore parity. Ben Davidson received a through ball but was forced wide by the Miners’ defence. However, he managed to lift the ball over the advancing Miners’ keeper from an acute angle and into the far corner.

Play ebbed and flowed with half chances being created by both teams. However, it was Pirelli who were next to add to their tally in the 23rd minute.

Kieran Blair was brought down in the penalty area as he prepared to shoot and the referee awarded a spot-kick for the challenge. Blair picked himself up to convert and give Pirelli a 2-1 lead.

Whitehaven Miners were denied an equalising goal eight minutes later when the assistant’s flag pulled the effort back for offside.

Whitehaven Miners with their under 7s who were mascots for the Benevolent Cup final with Pirelli. Picture: MLP Sports Photography

Pirelli increased their lead seconds away from the half-time whistle. Miners partially cleared a corner kick but the ball was returned to the far post where Liam Delaney headed the ball home for a 3-1 interval lead.

It was 15 minutes into the second period before the scoreline changed. Again it was Pirelli making the breakthrough. A long throw to the back post was met by Kelvin James who headed the ball into the back of the Miners’ net.

Miners gave themselves a lifeline in the 63rd minute. After some good approach play resulted in a corner kick, Alan Cardy headed in the flag-kick to bring it back to 4-2.

Pirelli sealed the win in the 78th minute. A cross delivered from the left was palmed away by the Miners’ keeper, but the loose ball was picked up by Craig McCue who fired it home.

All in all, it was a great effort by Whitehaven Miners who certainly made Pirelli work for their victory defying the difference in the League status between the two clubs.

The Benevolent Cup was presented to Pirelli skipper Jordan Pritchard-Farish by the County FA and County League Chairman Fred Conway.

Pirelli have now captured three trophies this season. It’s been a commendable effort as they have won the Premiership title, the Conway Cup and now the Benevolent Cup.

Their only failure was in the Whitehaven Cup when Workington Reds Development defeated them in an early round.

In the semi-final of that competition, Workington Reds Development overcame Gosforth 2-1 with goals from Carl Lightfoot and Ciaran Booty. Gosforth’s Andrew Bulman reduced the areas.