Toolstation NCEL Match Review 2015/16 #76
24th May, 2016
The 2015/16 Toolstation NCEL season ended with three dramatic cup finals as Cleethorpes Town claimed the League Cup, Bridlington Town retained the East Riding Senior Cup and Clipstone just missed out on Notts Senior Cup glory for the second year running.
Cleethorpes were aiming to go one better in the League Cup after they were beaten in the final twelve months earlier in a seven-goal thriller by Handsworth Parramore.
But, they went behind to double-chasing Tadcaster Albion who were playing their last NCEL game before their promotion to the Evo-Stik League, Josh Greening with the 23rd minute opener.
There was a quick leveller, however, from Luke Mascall and Brody Robertson gave the Owls a 2-1 advantage by the break in front of a crowd of 423 at Garforth Town's J.S. White & Co. Community Stadium.
Carl Stewart restored parity for the Brewers midway through the second period but Jonathan Oglesby popped up with what proved to be the winner seventeen minutes from time.
Bridlington's senior cup success came at Hull City's KC Stadium where they beat a North Ferriby United side who had been celebrating promotion to the National League.
In what was another entertaining game, Joel Sutton's strike just after the hour mark was the only goal of the match as the Seasiders kept hold of the trophy that they lifted last season by defeating Hull United.
Just shy of 600 people were there to witness Bridlington's deserved victory.
Meanwhile, Clipstone were looking for revenge in what was a repeat of last season's Notts Senior Cup final where they were beaten 5-3 in extra time by ex-NCEL side Basford United.
This year's match was played on the 3G surface at Eastwood Community FC's ground after the original tie at Mansfield Town's One Call Stadium was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
The 230 who were there witnessed the Cobras take the lead in the last minute of the first half through Andrew Fox and it looked as though they were going to get their hands on the silverware until Rob Darkin popped up in the second minute of stoppage time to level for Basford and take it into extra time.
Darkin then put the Northern Premier League side ahead in the first period before Adam Somes made it 2-2 in the 118th minute to take it to a penalty shoot-out but it was Basford who prevailed 3-2 on spot kicks to retain the trophy.