Wellington News

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

BUCKS WIN SETANTA SHIELD AGAINST ALL ODDS

Forest Green Rovers 0-0 AFC Telford United
(AFC Telford United won 3-0 on penalties)
The Setanta Shield Final
see more pictures

A determined backs-to-the-wall performance against higher-league opponents followed by an ice-cool display in the penalty shoot-out saw AFC Telford United clinch the Setanta Shield at Forest Green Rovers' New Lawn. Ryan Young deservedly took the Man of the Match plaudits, keeping the Bucks in the game during the ninety minutes and then saving all the home side's penalties in the shoot-out, but everyone had a part to play in securing the club's first piece of silverware since reforming in 2004. Remarkably, this was also the club's seventh victory over Blue Square Premier opposition in cup competitions this season, writes Steve Humbles.

Roared on by a large travelling contingent of around 800 and with many more Bucks' fans watching back home on Setanta Sports, Telford had the first chance of the game in the very first minute. Steve Jagielka whipped in a dangerous free-kick from left and Emeke Nwadike's fierce header flew narrowly over Terry Burton's crossbar. Ryan Young saved well from the dangerous Adriano Rigoglioso on 11 minutes after the Rovers' man had broke through the inside-right channel, but Telford responded immediately with Jagielka cutting in from the left and shooting just wide. Lee Vaughan then came close to a spectacular goal on 22 minutes with a dipping volley from 25 yards which just cleared the Forest Green crossbar. As the half wore on however the home side began to take control. Lee Fowler's shot from distance was stopped by Young on 25 minutes but the home side nearly made their dominance pay just three minutes before the half-time interval, Young somehow getting down to his left to turn Andy Mangan's strike round the post.

Telford gained more of a foothold in the game at the start of the second-half and could have taken a surprise lead on 57 minutes when Nwadike headed wide from close-range after meeting Mark Danks' left-wing cross. Again though full-time Rovers grew stronger as the half progressed, although the home side couldn't find a way past Young. The closest they came was just before the hour when Young parried Kaid Mohamed's fierce drive and Alex Lawless' follow-up struck the crossbar. Rigoglioso was denied by Young shortly afterwards following a neat one-two and the Bucks' goalkeeper was at it again on 78 minutes, making an excellent point-blank stop to deny Mangan after Rovers had broke forward at pace. Despite incessant Forest Green pressure in the closing stages, Telford's defence held firm and the final whistle blew at 0-0.

Having kept the home side at bay during the ninety minutes, Young then produced an extraordinary performance in the shoot-out at the Rovers' end of the ground; diving to his right to save both Forest Green's first two penalties from Mangan and Conal Platt whilst Jon Adams and Mark Danks calmy sent Terry Burton the wrong way with each of Telford's first two spot-kicks. When Young then dived to his left to push away Paul Lloyd's penalty, Gavin Cowan had the chance to win the competition for Telford; a task he duly completed by casually sending Burton the wrong way and slotting into the bottom right-corner to spark jubilant scenes for all connected with the club. Ironically, this final came exactly seven months to the day since the Bucks' run in the competition began with a 3-2 victory over Gainsborough. That night Telford had trailed 2-0 with ten minutes to play before mounting a stirring comeback to win 3-2 in extra-time. Few of the 652 present at the New Buck's Head that night could have predicted where that result would lead.

AFC Telford United: 1. Ryan Young, 2. Lee Vaughan, 3. Indy Khela, 4. Gavin Cowan, 5. Stuart Whitehead (c), 6. Emeke Nwadike, 7. Steve Jagielka, 8. Carl Rodgers, 9. Mark Danks, 10. Andy Brown, 11. Lee Moore. SUBS: 12. Ricky Sappleton, 14. Matty Lewis (for Brown 46), 15. Jimmy Turner, 16. Jon Adams (for Moore 46), 17. Liam Blakeman (for Jagielka 81)

Referee: Mr S. Creighton (Berkshire)

Attendance: 2323 (including 801 AFC Telford supporters)

pictured: above: Telford keeper Ryan Young makes a penalty save and below AFC Telford players celebrate with the Setanta Shield.