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Tue 10 Mar 2015
Bedford
First Team
1
3
S Ward (0'), D Hutchins (0'), (0')
1st Team v Bedford
Darren Eliot10 Mar 2015 - 21:45
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Match report
No. 43 Tuesday 10th March 2015. SSML – Challenge Trophy – Semi Final
Bedford 1 (Smith 64)
Kings Langley 3 (Ward 35, Hutchins 70p, 90p)
Continuing their policy of relying on youth in Cup competitions, Kings reaped the reward by advancing to the final of the League Cup, set on their way with a debut goal by 18 year-old wing back Steve Ward. Ant Ladyman saved a late penalty and Danny Hutchins converted twice from the spot in a dramatic encounter that entertained partisans and neutrals until the very last minute. Ollie Cox and Alex Campana went close early on and Sheldon Washington shot just wide, but the first half hour was fiercly contested at pace and it was an error that broke the deadlock. Keeper Aaron Bodger came to the edge of his area to clear, got into a tangle with his defender and a challenging Matt Bateman and the ball ran free to Steve Ward. The debutant kept his head and stroked the ball into the net from fully twenty yards and Kings were on their way. When Ashley Kersey broke free as the interval beckoned, Ant Ladyman pulled off a saving block with his legs, but the home side emerged the stronger after the break, culminating in a Craig Grieve rocket tipped over and then a Ryan Smith shot cleared off the line. Undeterred, he lashed it back into the net and the pendulum appeared to have swung the home side’s way. But Langley hit back and when a meaningful right wing run into the box saw Alex Campana pulled down from behind, Danny Hutchins calmly dispatched his third penalty in four games. The experienced back line of Jack Pattison, Stuart Deaton and Callum Adebiyi were exceptional, the latter pair carrying injuries, while Steve Ward and his counterpart Jack Stevens, showed a maturity that belied their years. However, just as Kings looked to have held out, Jack Pattison’s challenge was adjudged unfair and Chris Johnson stepped up for the penalty surely destined to take it to extra time. But Ant Ladyman saved low to his left and the drama continued as Matt Bateman was hacked unceremoniously down at the other end and Hutchins finally eclipsed Bedford’s aspirations.
Bedford 1 (Smith 64)
Kings Langley 3 (Ward 35, Hutchins 70p, 90p)
Continuing their policy of relying on youth in Cup competitions, Kings reaped the reward by advancing to the final of the League Cup, set on their way with a debut goal by 18 year-old wing back Steve Ward. Ant Ladyman saved a late penalty and Danny Hutchins converted twice from the spot in a dramatic encounter that entertained partisans and neutrals until the very last minute. Ollie Cox and Alex Campana went close early on and Sheldon Washington shot just wide, but the first half hour was fiercly contested at pace and it was an error that broke the deadlock. Keeper Aaron Bodger came to the edge of his area to clear, got into a tangle with his defender and a challenging Matt Bateman and the ball ran free to Steve Ward. The debutant kept his head and stroked the ball into the net from fully twenty yards and Kings were on their way. When Ashley Kersey broke free as the interval beckoned, Ant Ladyman pulled off a saving block with his legs, but the home side emerged the stronger after the break, culminating in a Craig Grieve rocket tipped over and then a Ryan Smith shot cleared off the line. Undeterred, he lashed it back into the net and the pendulum appeared to have swung the home side’s way. But Langley hit back and when a meaningful right wing run into the box saw Alex Campana pulled down from behind, Danny Hutchins calmly dispatched his third penalty in four games. The experienced back line of Jack Pattison, Stuart Deaton and Callum Adebiyi were exceptional, the latter pair carrying injuries, while Steve Ward and his counterpart Jack Stevens, showed a maturity that belied their years. However, just as Kings looked to have held out, Jack Pattison’s challenge was adjudged unfair and Chris Johnson stepped up for the penalty surely destined to take it to extra time. But Ant Ladyman saved low to his left and the drama continued as Matt Bateman was hacked unceremoniously down at the other end and Hutchins finally eclipsed Bedford’s aspirations.
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