BEDWORTH RANGERS 0-4 KENILWORTH WARDENS: THE MATCH REPORT...

Wardens Ambush Rangers To Take Benevolent Cup

Bedworth Rangers 0-4 Kenilworth Wardens

Coventry Alliance Division 4 Wardens did really well to beat Rangers from Division 1 in this Cup Final played at Hawkes Mill on the outskirts of Coventry. Two bursts of two goals, one salvo in each half, really crushed Bedworth, who in truth would likely be disappointed by their own performance. Two one-on-one goals before the break, then a rasping close-range shot from a corner and a sublime chip after the interval won the trophy for Kenilworth, although infringements denied Rangers three goals, two for offside and one for a foul on Wardens’ goalie Andy Whitehouse. Rangers seemed to be the more physical outfit, whilst Wardens passed the ball more clinically at times, using the channel-running of striker Guy Pearson to stretch the Bedworth defence. What was clear from the start was the enjoyment on the faces of the Kenilworth lads, right from the moment they appeared for the handshakes before the match began.

THE FOURTH OFFICIAL PRACTISES BEING A SQUARE-LEG UMPIRE, WHILST RANGERS' SKIPPER PREFERS A BOW TO A HANDSHAKE...

The overflow parking area was too close to the side of the pitch though and because of rain during the day, the pathway for cars was a mud bath in places and so spectators constantly had to watch their backs, as latecomers’ tyres squelched through the mire. Benevolent of Hawkes Mill then, on the day of the Benevolent Cup Final… The opening half was fruitful for Wardens and after skipper Tom Griffith had threatened at the near post following a right-wing throw, Ash Saines’ heading became quite a factor for his team. Pearson flicked at one header by the bearded number 16, following a right-side corner and Ranger Sam Soar was forced to hack the ball away from his goal-line. Saines’ next offensive header fell to the criminally unmarked Matt Legg just 7 yards from goal but somehow he lifted his shot well over the crossbar, with Bedworth’s defence in disarray.

PEARSON STARTS THE GAME, WHILST A LINESMAN ORDERS HIS TAKEAWAY FOR LATER...

All that Rangers had managed thus far was a header wide of goal by Kyle Aubrey, one of his team’s better performers. Warden Pearson fired a low cross-shot across the face of goal from left to right but then, from a Rangers attack, Kenilworth broke away to score. A risky jump-in tackle on Bedworth’s skipper Callum Pitcher by Kev Archibald, all yells and bellows, probably because Prince Harry’s son had kinda been named after him (well, nearly…) won the ball for his team. Sam Taylor fed Legg on the right who exchanged passes with the elusive Oli Jones and then slipped a pass infield to Saines, before the dark-chinned one assisted the combative Taylor, who had made a run on the right. He was able to draw goalkeeper Jordan Gilks before slotting the ball between the gloveman’s feet to open the scoring. Well worked indeed…  

GILKS: NOT CULPABLE AT ALL...

TAYLOR (7) HAS SCORED...

0-1 TO WARDENS...

The solid Rangers’ forward, wearing 20, Macauley Richards, had seen a shot fly off target and almost got to a flicked header across goal by striker Jamie Matthews but really, little was going right for Bedworth, as illustrated when Aubrey’s lob from the right was deflected away for a corner on that side by Whitehouse. A second goal was imminent however and again, Wardens’ prowess on the counter-attack would bring a reward. Pearson turned just inside his own half and released Jones on the right, who was quicker than mountain Ranger Nike Thomas but Jones stopped and cut left of the tumbling defender on the 18 yard line, leaving himself free to shove a low shot past the advancing Gilks, for 0-2.

0-2 & JONES (10) HAS SCORED...

MORE RANGER BOWING BUT BOTH PLAYERS ESCAPED FURTHER PUNISHMENT...

"WHAT D'YOU MEAN, I LOOK LIKE A BUDDHA?"

Certainly the half had belonged to Kenilworth, with some strong defending by Archibald and Griffith, whilst midfield manager Eamonn Richards, built like a slim Sumo wrestler (is that right?) was constantly involved in the skirmishes which abounded in midfield. Phil Rudd had been quietly efficient and both Jones and Pearson had excelled at times with their movement in attack. Rangers really hadn’t got going, despite the efforts of Aubrey, Luke Doughty and Sean Judge but too much pressure was being put on Thomas, Travis Mowe and Pitcher in defence, to be fair and thus the team’s performance had lacked any kind of rhythm. 

RICHARDS HAS STARTED THE SECOND PERIOD...

The late arriving Daniel Cassidy improved things for Rangers after the interval but his two late shots would drift well wide of the target, although Aubrey and Mac Richards had been the main protagonists for Bedworth as they fought for a foothold in the encounter. Aubrey shot at Whitehouse, fired another shot through the ‘keeper and into the net but he was flagged offside and the goal didn’t count, then saw another effort saved by the ‘keeper and finally lobbed a much later header against the crossbeam. Mac Richards’ flicked header had bounced wide, before he was penalised for fouling Whitehouse as he bundled the ball into the net, then he was adjudged offside as he nodded the ball inside the right post from a left-side centre by the busy Cassidy. Still nothing was going right for Rangers and although they dominated a fair bit during the second period, the breakthrough would simply not materialise.

THE AUBREY-CASSIDY TAP-DANCE DUO...

THE PLAYERS CAN'T BELIEVE THE SIZE OF THAT BANANA ON A SPECTATOR'S ARM...

"NAH, THAT'S NOT YOUR HEAD IN THE NET..."

THE REF TAKES RICHARDS ASIDE FOR A CHAT...

Pearson had already fired left to right across the face of goal for Wardens but two fairly quickly taken goals had essentially killed the game as a contest. First, Archibald roared in like a jealous rhinoceros to lash a left-wing corner past Gilks from 6 yards, then Pearson received the ball at inside-left, almost stopped, then casually clipped the ball upwards and over Gilks with his right boot and the effort dropped gently into the net. Cue joy… 

ARCHIBALD HAS MADE IT 0-3...

PEARSON HAS NETTED GOAL 4, BUT JONES' CELEBRATION WAS SO FAST THAT HE BLURRED THE CAMERA...

It was intriguing to watch and hear Archibald’s contribution in the latter stages; each time he walloped, yes, bludgeoned the ball as far away from his penalty-box as he could, he screamed like a baritone banshee, which was responded to by someone in the Kenilworth dugout. Really weird but rather entertaining…

ARCHIBALD AND TAYLOR...

Rangers, playing their final game before folding, I believe, looked desperately upset at the final whistle, knowing that they hadn’t gone out with their tails up. Losers’ medals would subsequently have to suffice, as they sauntered forward, heads down to receive condolences. 

UNHAPPY RANGERS...

The celebrating Wardens were ecstatic and their whooping celebrations were entertaining to witness. What a performance by the underdogs: Richards, Griffith, full-backs Legg and the lively James Butler, the jaunty and euphoric Archibald, Taylor, Pearson, the beaming Saines and the rest of the company all keyed into the post-match fun and with rain hovering around Hawkes Mill, the conclusion of the encounter seemed well timed. 

GRIFFITH, RICHARDS & BUTLER, THE WELL KNOWN FIRM OF PAWNBROKERS, HAVE ACQUIRED A NEW ITEM...

SQUADS:

BEDWORTH RANGERS:

JORDAN GILKS, CALLUM PITCHER (CAPT), PAUL SIMPSON, NIKE THOMAS, DANIEL CASSIDY, KYLE AUBREY, TRAVIS MOWE, JAMIE MATTHEW, LUKE DOUGHTY, SEAN JUDGE, RICKY LEE, SAM SOAR, LEE CHARLES, MACAULEY RICHARDS.

KENILWORTH WARDENS:

ANDY WHITEHOUSE, MATT LEGG, JAMES BUTLER, EAMONN RICHARDS, TOM GRIFFITH (CAPT), KEV ARCHIBALD, SAM TAYLOR, ASH SAINES (THE BEARDED NUMBER 16), GUY PEARSON, OLI JONES, PHIL RUDD, JACK LEA, ANDY LEGG, DAVE WATT.