Match Report By Hamish Manson
Broughton 0 – 2 Andover New Street
Things got off to a rocky start for New Street before a ball was even kicked as, according to the rules set out by the North Hants FA, New Street were to be the away team despite playing at their home ground. Would this rattle and put them off their game? Only time would tell.
As kick-off drew near, Foxcotte Park was fuller than I have ever seen it with fans coming in their hundreds to see this season defining match. Right from the off, New Street was all over Broughton FC, who had only made it to the final as a result of Basingstoke Town FC fielding two ineligible academy players in their semi-final match against Broughton.
With one of the first attacks of the game, a New Street attacker was brought down in the box. The fans were going berserk and all eyes turned to the referee. Penalty! Malachi Dotse looked confident in his run up and smashed it down the middle of the goal; the ‘keeper could only watch it go in as he dived down low to his left. ‘The Swifts’ were up one nil and didn’t look like stopping. Several good shots only kept out by some spectacular goalkeeping meant New Street took the advantage into the second half, but everyone around the ground knew it could have, and should have, been more.
The second half was underway and Broughton managed to slowly grow into the game, threatening the leader’s goal on multiple occasions however New Street were having none of it. A poorly cleared corner down the Broughton end saw a golden opportunity fall the way of captain Shane Lock who let rip a shot destined for the top right hand corner until out of no where, a Broughton player’s outstretched arm collided with the ball. The referee’s whistle blew, seeming to signal for a penalty and chance to extend the lead. Just as everyone was waiting for the ball to be placed on the spot the referee seemed to change his mind, after considerable talks with the opposition captain, and decided on a goal kick. The New Street faithful were understandably outraged by this decision however the players had a calm mind about the whole situation and would not let it stop them.
Another dangerous corner was played in and Dotse’s shot was fired into the goalie’s bottom left hand corner. The keeper only just managed to get to it as the ball fumbled under his outstretched hand and Shane Lock tapped it home on the line! Whether or not Dotse or Lock claim the goal, it put The Swifts firmly in the driving seat. New Street managed the rest of the game well and could have got a third before the full time whistle put an end to a brilliant match. New Street were awarded the trophy and the celebrations went on well into the night, finishing the season in style.