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Burgess Cup Final Report 2003/04
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21st April 2004
Underdogs win Burgess Cup
Bohemians caused a minor upset when they defeated Gorleston Albion Rovers 2-1 in the Burgess Cup Final. Goals from the excellent Aidy Simm and a penalty from the tireless Jason Howell gave Kevin Cruickshank's side a deserved victory and they even had to encounter a torrential downpour during the second half. The Boho's defense were disciplined throughput the 90 minutes with the central pairing of Aidy Sharman and Tony Shaw excellent being well shielded by a hard working midfield that also found time to support the attack.
Albion dominated for long periods of the opening half hour without creating any clear cut chances and Boho were restricted to occasional forays upfield. Boho keeper Clayton Buckenham was tested with a couple of long range efforts but he dealt very capably with faultless handling and the best chance fell to Paul Dyer but his header from a corner failed to test the keeper. The game turned in the last quarter of the first half when Howell picked the ball up in midfield and advanced on goal unchallenged unleashing a left foot drive that bounced awkwardly in front of Daniel Morgan. The keeper was unable to hold the effort and Simm was the first to react turning in the loose ball. The goal gave Boho increased confidence and the half ended with Howell firing in another effort that Morgan did well to turn round at the expense of a corner.
The second period began with Boho playing with the advantage of the wind and Matty Wells was just wide with a header. From a long free kick Howell flicked on and strike partner Lee Sullivan's lob cleared Morgan and the crossbar. Boho doubled their advantage when a prostrate Albion defender was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area. Howell stepped up and kept his cool to score with ease. Howell almost made it 3-0 when he lobbed Morgan only to see a last ditched clearance off the line by the retreating Robbie Leggett.
Danny Western created Albion's best chance of the half when his jinxing run found him inside the Boho penalty box but his left foot effort didn't match the run and ended well wide. Western was on the end of the next chance following substitute Peter Boseley's run down the left flank. His resulting cross fizzed across the six-yard box and Western couldn't stretch enough to get a meaningful connection. Albion continued to probe and press but the cutting edge was missing with a lack of movement up front and with the two central midfield players unwilling to make any penetrating runs, their main threat came down the flanks but both Boho full backs were confident and well protected by their own wide players. Albion did briefly threaten through the middle but Tony Shaw quickly snuffed out the danger.
Albion were given a life line when substitute Danny Smith broke from his right back position to cross dangerously into the six yard box from the byline. This time Buckenham was unable to hang-on and Hunter was on hand to stab home. Boho though remained composed and always looked the more likely to score as they exploited the gaps left by Albion in their efforts to force the game into extra time. It was Bohemians who stepped-up to collect the Burgess Cup against most people's expectations.
Bohemians: Clayton Buckenham; Daniel Goodrum, Tony Shaw, Aidy Sharman, Wayne Goreham; Agy Lopes, Aidy Simm, Matty Wells, Mark Thompson; Lee Sullivan, Jason Howell. Subs: Jason Ware, Daniel Cook, Clint Nelson
Gorleston Albion Rovers: Daniel Morgan; Joseph Griffin, Robbie Leggett, Paul Dyer, Carl Millican; Danny Western, Ollie Harrison, Craig Cutajar, Gavin Davison; Wayne Hunter, Nick Mortimer. Subs: Danny Smith, Peter Boseley, Richard Suttie, Karim Niali, Richard Plant
Referee: Mike Read, Assistants: Philip White, Craig White.
Ball Boys: Shrublands Under 9s.
Paul Payne
