Copperpot beat Littleborough in tense trophy final

An enthralling game at Leyland on Wednesday night saw Copperpot beat local rivals Littleborough 4-2 in extra time to secure the Lancashire FA Sunday Trophy for the second time in three years.

Goals in the final eight minutes from brothers Lance and Chris Ogunyode secured their victory but the game could have gone either way with many observers predicting the match would need penalties to determine a winner.

Both sides sprung surprises with their team selections prior to kick-off. Littleborough were without the absent Stuart Shepherd whilst the tired limbs of Mark Salford and Danny McWilliams meant they were only fit for a place on the bench. Copperpot included the fit again Michael Barker in defence and interestingly opted to play captain Davey Luker as a striker.

The game was surprisingly open from the first whistle with both sides creating chances. Copperpot keeper Ian Tyson had to be at his best to keep out a free-kick from Kristian Liptrot after only six minutes before Boro’s Tim Astley shot wide after good work down the right by Steve Beddard.

Whilst not many would have expected such an open game, few would have predicted anything but the blood and thunder encounter they were witnessing. Both sides refused to back down in the physical contest that was ensuing and several players could have gone into referee McNamara’s notebook before Phil Prescott did for a foul on Astley.

On 12 minutes however the game was lit up with a wonderful goal from Copperpot. A clever ball down the inside of the fullback from Nick Hodson found the advancing Prescott. Despite his initial cross missing the intended target, Prescott remained in the penalty area and when Richard Helme picked him out at the far post with a lovely cross he planted his header firmly into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later and Copperpot doubled their lead and again the goal came from a break down their right flank. Davey Luker was set free in the area but just as it appeared he had overran the ball he squared intelligently to the unmarked Lance Ogunyode who had the simple task of firing into an empty net.

In both the league encounters Copperpot had failed to score against Littleborough but the more physical approach of Luker in attack wasn’t allowing their opponents to dictate the game in the final third and the 2-0 lead was fully deserved.

The game could have been over as a contest in the 18th minute when Luker’s header set Ogunyode through on goal. There aren’t many defenders that have the pace to catch the forward so Littleborough were grateful to their goalkeeper Jamie Roche who was quickly off his line to smother the goalbound shot.

The men in yellow and blue were visibly stunned by the way in which they were being exposed defensively. It isn’t something they are accustomed to having conceded just four goals on route to the final but once they gathered there thoughts, and were given a few home truths by midfielder Lee Kershaw, they set about rectifying the damage.

By now Kristian Liptrot had already had several sighters from free-kicks around the penalty area. The big defender can certainly move a ball with his fierce right-foot and on 36 minutes he reduced the arrears with a stunning effort from 25 yards. His technique is akin to that of Steve O’Shaughnessy, a Rochdale midfielder of early 1990s, and the modern football certainly helps his cause as this shot dipped on route to goal and despite Tyson getting a hand on the ball he couldn’t prevent it from finding its way into the back of the net.

Hodson missed a good chance at the other end minutes later following a nice cutback from Jason Kay but on 44 minutes the game was level when Bill Williams rose highest to head home a Steve Beddard cross.

The game was now very much back in the balance but Copperpot suffered a blow at half-time when Hodson was forced off with an injury and replaced by the speedy Chris Ogunyode. This meant a reshuffle in their line-up with captain Luker dropping back into midfield.

Those supporters that have seen these two sides in action against each other down the years would now be able to relish the personal battle between Davey Luker and Lee Kershaw. With Luker up-front in the first-half the pair seldom clashed but with the injury to Hodson they now came head-to-head and the gauntlet was laid down by Kershaw on 48 minutes with a crude tackle on his foe for which a different referee could have shown him a red card.

Over the course of the remaining 42 minutes both sides did their utmost to score a winning goal but the nearest we came was when Copperpot keeper Tyson kept out a free-kick from McWilliams and a far post header from Jamie Sarsfield. The scores remained level and the game entered extra-time.

With the players tiring the game was becoming more stretched. Although chances were at a premium Littleborough were looking the more threatening. Bill Williams nearly scored with a header on 96 minutes and a blockbusting effort from Lee Kershaw looked destined for the top corner until it nearly decapitated Chris Cooper and somehow flew to safety.

Neither keeper had a save of note to make but the game took a decisive twist in the 112th minute when the pace of Ogunyode took him away from the Littleborough defence and his snapshot flew into the bottom corner. It was a classy finish from the number 9 and it sparked scenes of jubilation from Copperpot players and supporters alike.

The goal forced Littleborough to throw everything forward and they were given a lifeline of sorts in the 116th minute when defender Wayne Jopson was sent-off for a second yellow card. However with bodies committed upfield the pace of Copperpot substitute Sam Butterworth saw him release Chris Ogunyode and his right-foot finish confirmed his side’s victory.

The match once again proved to all those that doubted Copperpot’s credentials that they have the players in their team capable of rising to any occasion. They may have gone into the game as underdogs but they stood toe-to-toe with Littleborough throughout the 120 minutes and in the end deserved their victory.

Copperpot – Tyson, Prescott, Cooper, Barker, Jopson, Kay, Mooney (Lomas), Luker, Helme (Butterworth), Ogunyode L, Hodson (Ogunyode C)

Littleborough – Roche, Jackson, Astley, Williams, Liptrot (Sarsfield), Kershaw, Fielding, Beddard S, Baxter (McWilliams), Aadahl, Beddard T (Salford).