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Wiltshire Cup Final Report 2003/04
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MK United lift Wiltshire Cup
A very entertaining Wiltshire Cup final was played before a large crowd at the Wellesley on Easter Monday morning. Freethorpe were attempting to add the Wiltshire Cup to the HA Holmes Cup they won 12 days earlier and both sides were pushing for a league and cup double as both sides are in contention for the division one crown along with Middleton Arms. Freethorpe were set-up in their familiar 3-5-2 with Damien Hurley moved into attack as James Read was carrying a knock and Carl Garside returned in midfield after injury. MK United countered Freethorpe's five man midfield with five in midfield and Colin Halliday up front as alone striker. Del Salmon was delayed and so Clint Bilyard started although not fully fit and was replaced by Salmon after only ten minutes.
Simon Whitefoot, Bob Bradnum, Edwin Reid, David Bartram, Ricky Turner
MK United started much the livelier although Freethorpe created the first opening when Hurley put in fellow striker Andrew Rix who forced Chris Garnham into a smart low save. Salmon was soon involved in the action slipping in Halliday who shot just too high under pressure. After fifteen minutes Daniel Pentney came for a long high ball but dropped the ball and was relieved to see the ball go just wide after a scramble in the box. That error by Pentney may have contributed to him staying on his line when the lively Adam Hogg crossed from the left and Craig Rogers headed home at the far post to put MK one up. MK were well on top seeming to be a yard faster all over the pitch and a fine, patient build up so Dale Ingram play in Hogg who produced a good save from Pentney. A long through ball caught the Freethorpe back three square and Halliday was denied by Pentney on the edge of his penalty area. David Wright then joined in the attack from right back and forced Pentney into a save low to his left. It came as no surprise when MK doubled their advantage following a good move down their right flank, Rogers was initially denied but Hogg was the first to react swivelling to turn the ball in from close range.
Freethorpe goal under pressure
Freethorpe were almost non-existent as an attacking force in the first period but on a rare raid Rix created some space and his left foot drive was scrambled away. On the stroke of half time Salmon put through the pacey Halliday who coolly lobbed the advancing Pentney only to see his effort clear the crossbar.
Damien Hurley (yellow, left) and Carl Garside (yellow, second left) clear
an MK United corner
Freethorpe started the second period far brighter and after a half time gee-up from manager Marcus Smith and club secretary Stephen Smith. It certainly did the trick as Freethorpe were much more purposeful but lacked a final ball from a number of promising wide positions and their delivery from deadball situations was particularly disappointing. It was testament to MK's back line that it took 25 minutes into the second half for Freethorpe to create an opening when Mark Barber won the ball on the half way line and jinxed his way through midfield to fire just wide from 25 yards out. Glen Turner was named player of the match by Dennis Esherwood but he was ran very close by fellow central defender Chris Hall who was imperious at the back not putting a foot or head wrong throughout the 90 minutes. It was Turner who started the move that led to the goal of the match and a goal to grace any final any where. Turner move out of the back with the ball and the ball was moved onto Rogers and Hogg who crossed to the far post just behind Halliday who spectacularly volleyed the ball into the corner leaving Pentney no chance. Freethorpe never gave up the chase and scored a deserved consolation seven minutes before the end when Garside was the last player to flick on a Simon Whitefoot free kick.
Action from Monday's Wiltshire Cup final
MK United were deserved winners and inspirational captain Ricky Turner collected the trophy from Michael Wiltshire
Freethorpe: Daniel Pentney; Simon Burns, Graham Morris, Kevin Twose; Michael Ward, Mark Barber, Simon Whitefoot, Carl Garside, Alex Forsyth (Daniel Lawton73); Andrew Rix (Andrew Read 65), Damien Hurley (William McMartin 83).
MK United: Chris Garnham; David Wright, Chris Hall, Glen Turner, Dale Ingram (Daniel Saunders 85); Craig Rogers, Ricky Turner, Adam Hogg, Clint Bilyard (Del Salmon 10), Mark Miller (Daryl Hall 83); Colin Halliday.
Referee: Edwin Reid, Assistants: David Bartram, Bob Bradnum