BIG BEN CLINCHES BIG WIN FOR HISTORY MAKERS WICKERSLEY

IT’S an endearing storyline as old as the Mexborough Montagu Cup itself - underdogs upsetting the odds in the big final.

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Well, history-makers Wickersley CC can now be added to the list of those who have stunned the favourites on Easter Monday.

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Unfancied everywhere except in their own dressing room, Wickersley shocked the favourites Gate Inn by edging a tight final 2-1 after extra-time in front of 1,475 at Mexborough Athletic.

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They deserved it too, veteran Ben Thornton - a big handful all game for the Gate back line - netting the winner just five minutes from the end with the calmest of finishes.

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It also completed a personal hat-trick as he was in the AFP side which won the Mont in 2014 and 2016 (also scoring in that one).

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They are the first side from Wickersley to lift the coveted trophy in the competition’s 129 years and also the first side from the Blades Super Draw League to do so.

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Consider that they knocked out local giants Westville in the semi-final and now Gate, clear leaders of the Rotherham Sunday League and, like Westville, through to the Sheffield Sunday Senior Cup Final on April 19th. Some double that!

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Wickersley started brightly and got the boost of an 8th minute goal.

 

Louis Seddons, a lively threat throughout wide left, got clear on that side and his low ball in was diverted into his own net by Jack Greeves with Thornton behind him waiting to do the same.

 

Inside 60 seconds Greeves almost redeemed himself with a header from a corner which Pete Smith superbly turned away.

 

The early setback had jolted Gate into decisive action and they should have levelled only for Steve Taylor to put a great chance wide.

 

But the equaliser did come on the half-hour, Nathan Walsh finding himself in space from a through ball. He lifted his effort past the advancing Smith and Jordan Pilling helped himself to one of the Mont’s easiest-ever goals from about a yard out.

 

Josh Hemmingway and Josh Stead both fired over but Wickersley went closest right on half-time, Reece Dudhill clearing off the line from a header by Liam Tomlinson.

 

The teams rather cancelled each out in the second half, Wickersley’s teamwork nullifying the prolific Gate attack although Greeves powered a header straight at the keeper.

 

Both Seddons and sub Dec Mullane, with more time than he probably realised, could gave snatched it late on for Wickersley.

 

Thornton fired just over following a free-kick at the start of extra-time and Taylor almost broke the deadlock moments after the second period started.

 

With thoughts turning to penalties and 115 minutes on the clock, a Gate threat was checked inside the area, and from deep inside his own half, Mullane’s longest of long balls drifted on the breeze, down the famous slope and, suddenly, Thornton’s eyes lit up.

 

He realised that the ball was carrying beyond his marker and he eased onto it and was clear.

 

Breaths were held… time stood still… but the veteran striker kept a cool head and sidefooted calmly wide of the advancing Hayden Barnett and just inside the left hand post.

 

Gate looked stunned, couldn’t mount a late surge and so Wickersley went into the history books.

 

Thornton was named Man of the Match edging out centre half Nathan Taylor who had an outstanding game as Wickersley rose to the occasion as a team and no one could begrudge them their triumph

 

WICKERSLEY CC: Smith; Kelly, Taylor, Cuckson, Claxton; France (McGann 105), Tomlinson (Nix 105); Hardeman (Mullane 60), Daughtry, Seddons (Godley 118); Thornton. Unused: Kemp.

GATE INN: Barnett; Dudhill, Ardron, Greeves (Hough 68), Blackwood; James (Middleton 117), Hemmingway (Hancock 100), Stead; Pilling, Walsh, Taylor. Unused: Moore.

Referee: Roger Webb (Mexborough).