Maryport youngsters scored a first for Netherhall School when they were named Under-18 Cumbria County Cup champions.
The team played The Nelson Thomlinson School, Wigton, at Workington’s Borough Park.
Netherhall’s deputy head Mark Bailey said: “It was a match that will live long in the memory of all who were present. The Netherhall School First XI produced a performance for the ages, coming from behind in breathtaking fashion to secure the school’s first ever U18 County Cup title in an absolutely magnificent game of football.”
While Nelson Thomlinson had a good start to the game, when they almost took the lead seven minutes in, Netherhall came back fighting.
Mr Bailey added: “In a keenly contested encounter, it was Netherhall who were producing the greater number of chances, with the midfield trio of captain Jack Burns, Ciaran Laverty and Lewis Moore producing some fantastic football to keep pressing Netherhall forward.
“Aran Fitzpatrick fired wide of the right-hand post on 17 minutes, while another neat move on the edge of the area on 19 minutes saw Kieran Scott also shoot wide of the same post. Netherhall were now in the ascendency, and a surging run from Ciaran Laverty into the area on 22 minutes produced a shot that was well saved by Nelson’s keeper, before another Laverty strike from 30 yards was saved on the line on 25 minutes.
“Nelson continued to work hard and had another great chance themselves on 32 minutes which was well saved by Netherhall ‘keeper Luke McKnight, before Netherhall responded with another great move on 33 minutes when a great cross by Kieran Scott on the left wing was met by Aran Fitzpatrick, producing a sharp save from the Nelson keeper. The chances kept coming for Netherhall, with a Kieran Scott attempt on 36 minutes going wide of the right upright on 36 minutes, before a mazy run from midfield dynamo Lewis Moore narrowly cleared the bar on the stroke of half time.
“Netherhall had definitely had the better of the first half in terms of the chances created and at half-time the boys were encouraged to simply keep going as they were and the goals would follow.
“The second half began well for Netherhall, with a shot fired just over the bar from Kieran Scott in the second minute, but Nelson were quick to respond and almost took the lead on seven minutes when they had a shot cleared off the line by McKnight. An end to end game saw Netherhall drive into the Nelson area on 10 minutes, with Kieran Scott firing just wide of the post. In a match that was rapidly shaping up to be a classic, with chances coming at both ends, it was Nelson who broke the deadlock, taking the lead on 13 minutes with a superb lobbed finish over Luke McKnight.
“It was at this point that the Netherhall boys showed their true character and their determination to immediately get back on level terms. On 17 minutes a Danny Dryden screamer from 25 yards out was well saved before Nelson almost took a 2-0 lead, with Luke McKnight producing an outstanding save on 19 minutes to keep Netherhall in the match. A succession of set-piece chances followed for Netherhall, with captain Jack Burns producing his usual superb delivery to test the Nelson defence.
“The breakthrough finally came on 23 minutes, when a searching Burns’ free kick from 35 yards was met with a stooping header from Ciaran Laverty to direct the ball into the bottom corner of the Nelson goal to the delight of the boys and the huge travelling Netherhall support; it now felt that victory was possible and that the Netherhall boys’ resilience and determination was going to pay rich rewards.
“Ashtyn Skillen was imperious in defence, while Ciaran Laverty was in commanding form in midfield, producing a number of surging runs, while captain Jack Burns continued to supply the drive in midfield and set piece delivery to constantly test the Nelson defence as a number of corners followed, with Jack Rogerson narrowly heading over the bar. Nelson were by no means finished though, and 10 minutes from time they almost re-took the lead, only to be thwarted by another superb save from Netherhall keeper Luke McKnight.
“As the game headed into the last 10 minutes of normal time and with the outcome of the final on a knife-edge, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric as the Netherhall boys pushed hard in search of a winner.
“With only four minutes of normal time remaining, Netherhall star centre forward Danny Dryden surged into the area, unleashing a fierce shot that was parried by the Nelson keeper, only to be met by the incoming Aran Fitzpatrick who gleefully smashed the ball into the Nelson Thomlinson goal to take a 2-1 lead for Netherhall to scenes of absolute joy from players and spectators alike.
“With only minutes remaining, the atmosphere and anticipation in the ground was incredible and the coup de grace quickly followed in the final minute of the game when Zane Alderson played in Danny Dryden to skilfully turn his man and unleash a drive into the bottom corner of the Nelson Thomlinson goal to take a 3-1 lead for Netherhall.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the boys who came on for substitute appearances, Zane Alderson on the left wing, Josh Averkiou at centre forward, Luke Cremins on the right wing and Kelsick Little at left back, for their performance in the final and throughout the season. This has been a team success and all of the boys have made a vital contribution to the final outcome of the season and should all be very proud of their achievements.
“This was one of the finest games of schoolboy football that anyone present in the stadium had ever witnessed and it was a fitting way to mark Netherhall School’s debut U18 Cumbria County Cup Final success.
“These brilliant young men have earned their place in the history of Netherhall School, they have created memories for both themselves and for all who were present on Friday evening that will last a lifetime; they have set the example for others to follow and should be incredibly proud of themselves.
“There are many people to thank for all that took place on Friday evening; I would like to thank Steven Rudd of The Nelson Thomlinson School and Workington Reds AFC for setting up the final at Borough Park and providing the opportunity of a lifetime for the boys to play at the stadium in front of their friends and families; I would like to thank the officials on the evening: Waine Davidson of the Cumbria FA for refereeing the game so fairly and Dale Gebbie and Will Smith of Netherhall School’s excellent PE department for acting as linesmen; I would like to thank the boys of The Nelson Thomlinson School of Wigton for providing a first-class opponent in the final and for playing the game in the right spirit; I would like to thank David Tuck of Maryport and year 12 student Ben Lambert for acting as cameramen and recording the incredible events of the evening for the boys. Finally, I would like to thank the many supporters and friends of Netherhall School who came along to support the team on Friday evening and helped to make the occasion so memorable for the Netherhall School First XI boys.”
