Ainsty Panthers

This Senior Cup semi final was always going to be a close affair between two of York’s top Sunday sides and so it proved with a Chris Dyson strike on 85 minutes sending his side into the final where they will face Severus.

Ainsty were missing some key players through injury and suspension but manager Mark Willoughby still had a good side at his disposal and it was his side who carved out perhaps the best chance of the match as early as the third minute after Matt Wain flicked on a free kick into Darren Brandon who blazed over from six yards. Flag heeded the early scare and limited the home side to the odd long range effort.

The visitors then gained control enjoying long periods of possession but found the Ainsty defence as uncompromising as their own; the few chances that came their way were dealt with by keeper Bruce Welch who did well to keep out a Kev Martin effort.

The second half continued much the same with chances few and far between. Aaron Reed who impressed throughout missed out from a corner but then had to be alert moments later to deny Ash Hill at the other end. Paul King then released Brandon but the striker fired wide. He then went close himself returning the keepers clearance straight back from the half way line but he managed to recover to save his blushes.

Gary Jackson then saw his snap shot well saved by Welch. Dave Hartas headed wide when well placed and Craig Maxwell then got caught out but Dyson fluffed his shot as Flag cranked up the pressure.

With the game looking destined for extra time Flag finally broke through. Dyson received the ball on the edge of the box and although surrounded by home players still managed to get his shot away across Welch and into the left hand corner.

Ainsty through caution to the wind in a effort to salvage the game and had a good shout for a penalty after a clumsy challenge on Hewitson but the ref turned down their loud appeals and with it went their chance of a final appearance.

Ainsty still have another semi final to look forward to and if they can get everyone back have a good chance against a Thorpe side that do not have the defensive strength of Flag. Next week the team entertain Wanderers in a crucial League game.

Severus the leading side in recent years produced a performance out of the top drawer that engulfed the Ainsty and avenged an early season reverse against their close rivals. So good were the visitors in the opening quarter that had it not being for the heroics of keeper Bruce Welch the game would have been over as a contest in the opening ten

minutes. Ainsty went into the game with a bare eleven but still fielded a strong side that couldn’t cope with the pace and work rate of a Severus side that grasped the importance of the game and as a result gained an advantage over Ainsty in the race for the title. Welch denied Woodward and Hutchinson with fine saves but was beaten by Woodward who found the net via the upright. Despite all the pressure they were under it was Ainsty who struck back. Reed sent a free kick to the back post and the dangerous Simon Kehoe brought the ball down in a flash to fire across the keeper and into the net. Severus regained the lead within minutes after Ainsty conceded a penalty. Craig McShane hit the crossbar and the ball was scrambled away for a corner. Ainsty failed to clear the set piece and Woodward forced the ball home at the far post. Half time arrived with the home team still in the game but they fell further behind within thirty seconds of the restart as the defence allowed Hutchinson time and space to fine the corner of Welch’s net. To their credit Ainsty worked their way back into the game, Hewitson and Reed both went close before Beech hit the bar. The visitors keeper then gifted Ainsty a goal his pass finding Hewitson who fired the ball straight back past him. What should have been a nervy last ten minutes for Severus was eased as Hutchinson restored his sides two goal advantage once again cashing in on defensive lapses. If Ainsty are to have any hope of wrestling the title from Severus then they are going to have to up their work rate passion and commitment all the qualities their rivals showed none more so than front runners Woodward and Hutchinson who were magnificent throughout.