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Senior Cup Final
Goodwick upset formbook to lift cup
Goodwick United 3 goals –
Merlins Bridge 1 goal
Goodwick United deservedly pulled off a shock cup final victory over red-hot favourites Merlins Bridge at the Bridge Meadow.
Jay Brockway scored to give Goodwick a slender interval lead. Peter Thomas equalised with a penalty. Nigel Delaney regained the lead with a contentious penalty and Kieran O’Brien’s powerful header sealed a sweet cup victory for Goodwick who last lifted the cup 11 years ago.
Manager Bernie Armstrong and assistant Brian Morris had done a splendid job getting their tactics spot-on and the Wizards were left scratching their heads.
Goodwick were not given much hope against the league champions elect, but on a glorious sun-drenched afternoon in front of a record crowd at the Bridge Meadow, they proved too strong for the disappointing Wizards outfit, who have lost two successive finals.
Wizards make brighter start
The Bridge had the far brighter start, but it was Goodwick against the run of play who opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
Player manager Matthew Price was unlucky not to open the scoring as he turned inside the box and his snap shot hit the post from an acute angle.
Danny Williams found room on the right side, and his accurate cross in the box found Jay Brockway unmarked. The 18-year-old striker showed great composure to take a touch and bury his right-foot ten-yard volley in the bottom right corner.
Brockway’s goal inspired Goodwick
The goal certainly inspired Goodwick as Danny Williams had a great opportunity to add to the goal tally, but goalkeeper Ian Kerrison came quickly off his line and brilliantly blocking to deny his goal-bound effort.
The second half began in frantic fashion as Goodwick’s Tom Jones found the back of the net, but it was ruled offside. The Wizards went straight up the pitch when they were awarded a penalty after Wayne O’Sullivan committed a foul on Price in the box. Peter Thomas stepped up to confidently despatch from 12-yards to level matters.
Stephen McNabney went close to scoring twice with a close range header and also had a wicked long-range effort that rattled the crossbar.
Goodwick regained the lead when a second penalty was awarded. It looked dubious as Paul Thomas clipped Danny Williams and Roy Boswell pointed straight to the spot surrounded by Bridge players protesting his decision. Nigel Delaney kept his cool to fire home the resulting spot-kick.
Goodwick added a third in 69th minute. James Dean’s brilliant by-line cross allowed Kieran O’Brien to power his head into the net from six-yards.
Goodwick celebrate cup victory
As the final whistle sounded Goodwick celebrated victory, as the Wizards understandably looked dejected.
For the first time in Senior Cup history three brothers officiated the final. Roy Boswell was the referee while his brothers Dean and Alan were the linesmen.
League secretary Brain Hawkins thanked all concerned for laying on the final. Manderwood’s Chris Tansey presented the man of the match ball to Goodwick United defender Anthony Couzens. While League chairman Colin Williams presented Goodwick United skipper Wayne O’Sullivan with the Senior Cup.
Goodwick United: Carl Woodhouse; Darren Devonald; Wayne O’Sullivan (Captain); Nigel Delaney; Anthony Couzens; Kieran O’Brien; Ryan Thomas; Tom Jones; Dan Williams; Steve Evans. Substitutes: Ricky Bowen; Steve Lewis; James Dean.
Merlins Bridge: Ian Kerrison; Chris Ormond; Haydn Ralph; Peter Thomas; Paul Thomas; 
Marcus Taylor; Michael Canton; Matthew Price; Stephen McNabney; Nathan Thomas (Captian); Matthew D’Ivry. Substitutes: Ross Williams; James Skudder; Ashley Prior.
Referee: Roy Boswell.
Assistants: Dean Boswell & Alan Boswell.
Fourth Official: Bernie Coyle.
