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Stuart
Blackburne's extra time goal secured Edgware the Spartan League Premier
Division Cup on Tuesday, to add to the league championship trophy, but
there was little doubt as to who was the real hero of the night, and
that was Darren Bonfield writes John Comfort.
The giant Wares keeper was the class act on a night when many of his
team mates performed decidedly below expectations, seemingly taking far
too lightly an Oxhey side that had been soundly beaten 6-1 in the league
just three weeks ago. Had it not been for the string of superb saves
made by Bonfield, the Jets would surely have claimed a shock win.
Bonfield set the pattern for his night of heroics in the opening minute
with a great save to keep out Tim O'Mara's near post header and then,
from the resultant corner by Gary Beadle, he superbly saved Chris
Harding's bullet header.
The Jets certainly looked more up for it than the jaded looking Wares,
and their strong, physical presence all over the park never allowed the
champions to settle into their normal free flowing rhythm. Only busy
midfielder Johnny Moore, who battled away for everything, was able to
match Oxhey's efforts.
As an attacking force Edgware rarely threatened, but they really should
have opened the scoring in the 18th minute with their only real chance
of the first half when Gavin Hart's cross was laid off by Greg Ngoyi to
present Blackburne with an easy scoring opportunity. But from close in
he shot wide off an upright.
However, it was at the other end of the park where goals seemed more
likely as Oxhey forced a succession of corners and, from one of them, a
flying save from Bonfield somehow kept out Paul Turner's goal bound
header. Just before the break the busy Bonfield pulled off another fine
diving save to keep out Jamie Arthur's fierce drive.
After the expected half time roasting from the management duo, Edgware
came out for the second half looking more lively, and they could have
taken the lead in the opening minutes when Oxhey keeper Kevin Paul
failed to hold a 20-yarder from Paul Marks. Blackburne pounced on the
loose ball but had his follow up effort blocked by the keeper.
Marks and Ngoyi both went close but Oxhey were far from beaten, and they
soon had Bonfield back in action when Ian Holdom's surging run ended
with a great low strike, which the diving keeper turned away for a
corner.
But Bonfield's save of the match came 12 minutes from time. O'Mara's
blistering 20-yard volley, after a Beadle cross had been half-cleared,
had goal written all over it until the keeper miraculously tipped it
away for a corner.
With time running out, Edgware made one last big effort to win it but,
after Blackburne's first timer was well saved and Ben Hayden had a
header from a Hart corner cleared off the line, it was down to extra
time.
The deadlock remained after the first period but, just three minutes
into the second period, Edgware finally conjured up the match winning
goal.
Mark Buchanan made it when he took possession just inside his own half
and advanced into Oxhey territory. He then lofted a magnificent ball
over the Jets defence for Blackburne to race in from the left and fire a
low shot past Paul into the corner of the net.
Edgware should have had the chance to increase the lead with a penalty
minutes later. Blackburne was fouled 20 yards out and, when referee
Mackey played an advantage, the striker stormed on into the area and was
pulled back again. Mr Mackey blew up but, controversially, gave the free
kick outside the area instead of the expected spot kick. A pity, because
the referee otherwise had a good game and it was as well that his ruling
had no bearing on the final outcome.
No surprisingly, Richard Morton, who had one of his poorest games in an
Edgware shirt, sent the kick high over the Oxhey bar but Blackburne's
goal proved enough to end Oxhey's brave challenge and gave Edgware their
second trophy of the season.
Next Tuesday they bid to make it an historic treble when the meet Stony
Stratford Town in the final of the League's Challenge Trophy at Tring.
Edgware: Bonfield, Moore, Rispoli (Kane), Smith, Buchanan, Fernee,
Marks (Hayden), Morton, S Blackburne, Ngoyi (Wallace), Hart.
Other subs:
Gardner, R Blackburne.
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