FOOTBALL
The Michael Campbell Cup.
And the winners the Barbarians 5 - 3
the ones in red.
The Watson Shield Final
Kings FC 1 Riseley Sports Res. FC 2
Saturday 3rd May 2008
The reserves won the Watson Shield in front of a large partisan crowd at Caldecote FC against league winners Kings FC.
Kings started the game as firm favourites but were overcome by a dogged Riseley team who came out deserved winners.
Jayme Harris got on the end of two second half crosses after they had gone behind to a first half penalty also losing captain Phil Taylor with a back injury and influential midfielder Ian Whitmore with a broken leg following a rash challenge by the Kings captain.
Riseley made the better chances after the break with both Tommy Dove and Sami Gingell going close.
The usually dominant Kings forwards were unable to make any real headway against a strong Riseley defence marshalled by Chris Spurgeon and Ollie Surridge with the evergreen Kevin Harris and livewire Jon Glos pulling the strings in midfield.
Harris scored his first, bundling the ball over the line, after a good free kick by Russell Beddall was headed on by Craig Ford. Beddall was replaced by Dan Kelly after another Riseley injury forced another change, Kelly quickly settling into a midfield roll. Riseley went ahead with 6 minutes to go when a Barry Pirrie long throw found its way through to Harris whose header sent the Riseley fans wild as they sensed victory.
Keeper John Gray pulled off an excellent double save late on to deny Kings an equaliser and Riseley were roared home by unbelievable support to enable Taylor to lift the trophy.
The proudest moment in the teams 6 year history, managers Paul Sharp and Kevin Thompson would like to thank all the players for their efforts, both on Saturday and throughout the rest of this season.