Reserve Premier Division League Cup Final; The Jess Lay Memorial Trophy, 29 March 2011

It is often said that the underdog has the easier time going into a cup final, while the weight of expectation is on the favourite. With Brixworth looking to seal the first part of a potential double and regain momentum for their league campaign, Gretton had the luxury of having nothing to lose.

With the pressure off Gretton began the match, playing freely and without fear. George Johnson was unlucky not to have put the Kites into an early lead with a back post header which dropped onto the top of the bar. Fellow forward Matt Sheen also had a chance to gain an early advantage for Gretton, charging down a clearance from a back pass. The ball ricocheted off of his legs and by the time he had recovered the ball the angle was all but impossible and his shot hit the side netting.

Chances were few and far between after this until 25 minutes, when Brixworth launched a counterattacking move built from the back.  A breakaway passing move ensued, and two passes later, Greg Tayler fired Brixworth into the lead.

Having failed to take full advantage of their pressure early on, Gretton regrouped quickly and forced their opponents back. On the half hour, a clever flick allowed Sheen in. The move wrong-footed All Saints ‘keeper Wayne Hammil who did well to recover and flick the ball away one-handed.

Time and again Gretton seemed to be able to penetrate the Brixworth defence at will but a combination of poor finishing and solid goalkeeping kept them at bay. Shortly before the break, Sheen tested Hammill again with a dipping half-volley, but found the stopper in fine form as he turned the ball away at the apex. 

Coming out for the second half, Brixworth were a changed side, playing with more confidence and freedom than in the first as the momentum swung in their favour. Alasdair Duncan fired an early effort straight at the keeper when he should have done better after being played clean through, but almost immediately made amends. Collecting the ball from the resulting goalkick he fed Gareth Hughes superbly timing the ball to ensure his team-mate beat the offside trap but again he could not find the target.

Gretton’s first effort of the second half was a disappointingly weak free kick which Hammill easily scooped up. Hammil was called into action within a minute however as sloppy play between the defence and midfield again gave the ball away to the dangerous looking Sheen. Sheen raced into the penalty area, creating space at the far side of the goal before hitting a sublime curving effort. Hammil again however proved more than up to the task backpedalling before arching his back acrobatically to palm the ball wide.

This was the turning point for Brixworth, as having been bailed out by their keeper yet again, the midfield regained their collective composure and set about making the game safe. A neat interchange of passing saw Tayler slipped through again. His shot proved too hot to handle as it was spilled straight into the path of Duncan who made no mistake this time in doubling his side’s advantage.

The goal visibly deflated Gretton who appeared to tire quickly, and so it was no surprise when Mark Sharman burst clear. The defence seemed to be out on its feet and so their tired legs could not keep with him, as he surged into the area and rolled the ball home inside the far post to seal the victory and claim the Jess Lay Memorial Trophy.