Semi Finals of knockout competitions are often tense, nervy affairs but not this one. Having set out to show their higher ranked opponents just what they could do, Borrowash eventually found themselves on the wrong end of an emphatic scoreline at the end of a performance which all involved with Glossop North End should be justifiable proud.
Borrowash Victoria 0, Glossop North End 6
Derbyshire Senior Cup, Semi-Final
Match Report: Stewart Taylor
Pictures: Jim Lockwood
The match started at 100 miles per hour as the home side swarmed forward en masse at every opportunity. The Hillmen defence were tested but the twin rocks of captain Lincoln Adams and Kelvin Lugsden repulsed all that was thrown at them meaning that Andrew Jones in the Glossop goal had no meaningful shot to save.
The momentum changed around two incidents in quick succession. After 12 minutes the match was halted whilst an insecure net was fixed and then just 3 minutes later the impressive Kieran Lugsden was fouled in the area by Thom Kellogg. Sam Hare stepped forward and converted the resultant penalty to give the visitors the lead. And they never looked back.
The Hillmen were dominating the match based on excellent ball retention and work rate through the midfield and it came as no surprise when the lead was doubled just after the half hour. Good work by Kieran Lugsden on the left of the box gave the striker an opening. His shot hit the bar but the rebound fell kindly for Tom Bailey who slotted home.
As half time approached a training ground free kick routine nearly paid off as a shot came in from the left foot of Lee Blackshaw. It looked all the way a goal but Steve Smith in the home net did just enough to tip the effort over the bar. Undaunted, GNE kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a goal which will stay in the memories of all those present. Full back Matty Russell stormed forward onto a loose ball 25 yards out and unleashed a left footed thunderbolt which left Smith rooted to the spot – a contender for goal of the season.
Into the second half and GNE were forced to re-organise with Lincoln Adams having picked up a first half injury. On came Kyle Riley meaning that Dave Young switched across to centre back with Alex Byrne dropping to right back. If Borrowash thought that the forced re-organisation of the GNE defence would be to their advantage they were proven wrong as the second half continued in the same vein as the first.
Within 3 minutes of the re-start, the Vics were reduced to 10 men as Thom Kellogg fouled Keiran Lugsden who was just about to pull the trigger after some excellent approach work. A second yellow card for the big defender and the home side with a mountain to climb if they were to get anything from this match.
The travelling GNE support didn’t have long to wait to see the lead extended and another contender for goal of the season. Sam Hare latched on to a loose ball some 25 yards out, looked up and curled a precision shot past the despairing Smith. 4-0 to the visitors and another goal to remember.
And still the Hillmen were not finished. Not content with resting on what they had they pushed forward looking for more goals and, on 75 minutes, duly obliged. Kieran Lugsden was having probably his best game in the blue of GNE and it was his fine work again which gave Riley an opening. His first attempt was partially blocked by Smith but Riley had the simplest of tasks to tap the rebound into an unguarded net.
With 10 minutes to play, Steve Murphy came on as a substitute, to the cheers of all the Hillmen supporters, to make his debut for GNE in a striker’s role and he nearly made it count as the ball was smothered by Smith as Murphy tried to round him for a tap in.
The final significant action of the evening came with 7 minutes remaining. A cross into a crowded home penalty area was directed towards goal by Riley only for Kelvin Lugsden to, seemingly, head the ball over the line. Lugsden wheeled away in celebration and that was that. A 6-0 victory to the visitors and well deserved. Later discussions confirmed that the effort from Riley was over the line before Lugsden intervened so the goal was credited to the big striker.
Scenes of great celebration followed as the team paid homage to the ranks of supporters who had followed their team every step of the way to the final.
The reward for GNE is a place in the final of this competition where they will face Ilkeston of the Evo-Stik Premier Division. The venue and date of the final have not yet been officially revealed but this could well be a showcase season finale at the end of April.
GNE: Jones, Young, Russell, Kelvin Lugsden, Adams (Riley), Blackshaw (Ellison), Byrne, Kilheeney, Bailey (Murphy), Hare, Kieran Lugsden
GNE Goalscorers: Hare (15p); Bailey (34); Russell (45); Hare (53); Riley (75); Kelvin Lugsden (83)
Attendance: 173
