East Riding CFA 2 - 0 Northumberland
Sculcoates started brightly and Rob Kamis went close when he latched on to a through ball but his chipped shot was a shade too high. Sean Willis had Ponteland’s first chance when the ball rebounded into his path but keeper John Sowersby made a comfortable save. Scully went close again when Karl Orwin tapped a free kick to Lee Benham and his swerving shot was palmed around the post by keeper John Elliott. But they took a deserved lead on the half hour when Steve Fisher’s free kick released Rob Kamis on the right flank and he fed Tony Scruton whose deflected shot looped over the keeper and into the top corner of the net. Just before the break keeper Sowersby preserved the hosts lead by making a brave save at the feet of Dominic Clauzel.
Sculcoates again started the second period on the attack and Danny Drayton’s cross found Kamis but his header went straight into the safe hands of keeper Elliott. Then Dave White blazed the ball over the bar from Orwin’s pass. A rare defensive mistake let in Ponteland’s Liam McIvor but Sowersby pulled off a great save. Substitute Mark Fordham was quickly in the thick of the action first shooting wide of the target when through on goal and then starting the move that led to the second goal. His cross was headed on by Drayton and Kamis hit an unstoppable angled drive into the net. Lee Benham then went close with a long range effort which was well saved. Drayton had a chance when he latched on to a slack back pass but his shot was blocked by the keeper. Ponteland almost pulled a goal back when Andrew Davidson’s cross was met by Kevin McGorie but keeper Sowersby pulled off a remarkable point blank save. Sculcoates finished strongly and Fordham set up substitute Ricky Field but his shot was turned away for a corner. Soon after, the final whistle was blown and Sculcoates had added another trophy to their impressive collection by winning the Northern Counties Championship for the East Riding FA. This victory was a result of impressive teamwork and a sound defensive performance from the back four of Tony Scruton, Steve Irwin, Steve Fisher and Dave White with keeper John Sowersby also playing in important role in a well earned win.
Team Photograph - Back Row – L to R – Mark Petch, Mark Fordham, Steve Fisher, Ricky Field, Danny Drayton, Steven Irwin, Rob Kamis, Craig Wells, Sam Hyde, Darren Lever
Front Row – L to R – Mark Smith, Matty Wise, Ross McMonies, Paul Drayton, Tony Scruton, Karl Orwin, John Sowersby