Stanion United Reserves v Wootton St George Reserves

An inspired second half revival saw Wootton St George Reserves romp home to claim the Reserve Division 1 League Cup, the first silverware won by the club in twelve years.

Without a league win all season opponents Stanion had all hopes of salvaging any sort of pride from the season riding on the contest, and indeed started the brighter. While Wootton appeared cagey and gun-shy, their opponents came out red-hot playing like a side with nothing to lose, and made most of the early running. For the first 20 minutes of the game, their high defensive line and attacking midfield set-up restricted Wootton to a mere 16 touches in the attacking half.

Stanion winger Moses Rodriguez was the early star, flying about like an angry wasp, stinging the Wootton defence time and again, drawing fouls and free-kicks in several advanced positions. Stanion Manager Ronnie Malloy had Wootton keeper Ash Day backpedalling after a hitting a long-range effort that curved inward sharper and later than a bend on the Manx TT race, and was unfortunate to see it narrowly miss the apex.

Shortly after this warning shot, Brad Phillips tested Day for the first time, with Stanion’s first effort on target. However, immediately after it was Wootton who took the lead against the run of play, with their first meaningful possession in the opponents half. Josh Dawson picked up the ball wide on the left hand side and squeezed his left footed shot between Casey McQuade and the near post from a narrow angle.

Rodriguez continued to torment the Wootton defence as Stanion desperately sought an equaliser, and it was his knockdown on 31 minutes that allowed Dean Blakey-Tew to bundle in a deserved equaliser. Nine minutes later Blakey-Tew wasted the chance to double his tally and give Stanion the lead they deserved, blazing his free-kick over the bar.

Immediately after the restart, it was Wootton who took the lead as Dawson fired home his second picking up a through ball by the penalty spot. Stanion looked shell-shocked and retreated into their half making few forays forward. It was on one of those forays on the hour, that Rodriquez scored the goal that he deserved. A mazy run beat several defenders before he fired home with the outside of his right foot.

Stanion’s celebrations were premature however as Wootton regained the lead almost before either side or the spectators could draw breath. Ash Gale received the ball from Dawson who whipped over a left-wing cross, which was turned in. Bruce MacDonald claimed the goal, although the sheepish looks from his marker suggested an own goal.

Ten minutes later Wootton were two goals to the good. Dawson again fed Ash Gale who sent over another searching cross, and found namesake Chris Gale who steered the ball home inside the six-yard box. A 75th minute header from Ash Gale saw him extend Wootton’s lead to an unassailable 5-2.

The drama was not done however, as first Blakey-Tew bundled home his second of the night, three minutes from time, before Chris Gale wrapped up the win with a stoppage time winner.