Match Report 2001/2002Linnets exact Cup revengeTuesday 19th February 2002 :
|
 LEAGUE CUP |
Report based on that by the Daily Echo
There was a certain amount of 'history' attaching to
this fixture and a strong performance from a Lymington & New Milton team
missing a number of first-team regulars ensured that this time the result went
in their favour. Notwithstanding the fact that this was the fifth time this
season that the two sides had faced each other, the last time they met in this
competiton was in the 1999-2000 final when, having pipped the Linnets to the
Wessex championship on goal difference, the Magpies of Wimborne also won the
cup, beating L&NM by a solitary goal.
Although drawn to play each
other in last season's competition, the fixture never actually took place; the
competition being cancelled by the Wessex League because of the huge fixture
backlog. Technically therefore, Wimborne were still the cup holders, not having
been defeated in the competition since that time. If the Linnets go on to win
this trophy, they would certainly have done it the hard way as their prize for
winning this tie is a two-legged semi-final affair with reigning Wessex League
champions Andover, starting at Fawcett's Field next Tuesday night (kick off
7.30pm).
The Magpies had an early chance however to take the initiative
on the night when Brett Phillips was adjudged to have handled the ball inside
his own penalty area, but Stacey White's resultant spot kick was brilliantly
saved by Paul Spillane in the Linnets' goal. At the other end, Richard
Glenister had a couple of chances to give Graham Kemp's outfit the lead on the
night and with seven minutes to go before the break they made the breakthrough
to go two up on aggregate when midfielder Mark Smith curled a superb
free kick round the Magpies defensive wall to find the back of the hosts'
net.
With 20 minutes gone in the second period, the tie was effectively
over. Glenister's shot was charged down by Nick Hutchings in the Wimborne goal,
but the rebound fell nicely for Gareth Keeping to notch his 11th goal of
the season and send the Linnets home victorious. Linnets' player-manager Graham
Kemp was delighted with the final outcome. "That was a superb performance
tonight," said Kemp. "I would say given we had a few regular players out that
has to be one of our best displays this season and there were a few players who
played exceptionally well."
Lymington & New Milton : Spillane, Drew, Green, Kemp, Morris, Mooney, B.Phillips, Smith, McDonnell, Glenister [J.Grace 70], Keeping. Unused subs: Town, Morrell.
Match reports on this site are based on those appearing in the New Milton Advertiser & Lymington Times (except where separately credited) with additional material from my own resources where relevant.
Online with the Linnets © Paul Johns MMII