AFTER two weeks of excellent competition, the South Holderness Cup reaches its conclusion tomorrow when holders Hedon Rangers and Easington United meet in the final at Patrington.

Thirteen teams (representing eight clubs) entered the competition, which returned after a year's hiatus.

This entry resulted in five first round ties, with byes being awarded to the three Humber Premier League teams (Easington United firsts, Hedon Rangers firsts and Sproatley Juniors) whose league campaigns were extended beyond those of the teams from the East Riding County League.

Sadly, Aldbrough United and Roos decided against entering, while Withernsea restricted their entry to their first team.

Sproatley were new to this year’s competition, along with Skirlaugh AFC, while there was a return for AFC Skirlaugh (finalists in 2011). Ironically, the two teams were drawn to meet each other in the first round.

First Round

There was also an 'in house' affair at Low Farm where Easington United Academy entertained Easington United Reserves in the opening tie of the competition. In the event league status told, with the Reserves winning 4-1 although not before they'd been given a real fright by their 'hosts'. Marc Mead bagged a brace for the Reserves, with Brad Bowden and Billy Frith also on target. Sam Outing replied for the Academy.

The following night Withernsea travelled to take on Hedon Rangers Academy and emerged 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Ciaran Collins and Kyle Fellows.

On the same evening Souths squandered a 2-0 lead given them by Harry Booth and Sam Bamforth to draw with Hedon Rangers 3rds, for who Jarrod McPhee and Steve Perry scored to take the tie to penalties. Therein Hedon held their nerve to win 4-2.

There was also a penalty shootout in the all-Skirlaugh clash. in what was described as a ‘fantastic local derby’, Division 4 newcomers AFC Skirlaugh held their nerve better to progress past their Division 1 neighbours Skirlaugh. The more youthful AFC side enjoyed the better of the first half but failed to cap things with a goal. The second 45 minutes saw both teams have chances but the tie remained goalless and went to penalties. Therein the AFC players ‘showed great confidence’ in scoring all four kicks taken. When their opponents missed one and had another saved, it was the underdogs who progressed.

The final first round tie saw Hedon Rangers Reserves survive a real scare in their first round tie, trailing Athletico Hull 2-0 after 55 minutes thanks to goals from Kingsley Allen and Mark Griffiths before, in club secretary (and ‘man of the match’) Dave Blake’s words, Hedon’s ‘fitness and quality shone’. Seven unanswered goals completed a dramatic turnaround, courtesy of James Oglesby (2), Keiron Sage (2), Tyler Pelham (2) and Thomas Morfitt.

Quarter-finals

Both opening quarter finals last Thursday involved Easington United teams.

A big crowd at the High School saw The Eastenders first team come from behind to beat hosts Withernsea 2-1 in a keenly-contested encounter. Liam Constantine and Chris Frost scored the goals for Easington after Chris Seeley had given The Seasiders the lead.

At Holderness Academy things were a little more straightforward for Sproatley Juniors who eased past Easington United Reserves 5-1. Kai Perkins, Tom Havler, Ryan Tomlinson, Alex Dickinson and Dylan Irwin were the Sproatley scorers, with Marc Mead replying for Easington.

Friday brought two more games, involving three Hedon Rangers teams, the one involving the first team and Hedon Rangers Reserves proving a dramatic and somewhat controversial affair. Will Broadley’s 82nd minute goal appeared to have given the Reserves a surprise win, only for Dan Clancy to level matters just two minutes from time.

Even then the drama wasn’t over. Brett Agnew passed up a great late chance to win it for the Reserves who were then denied a penalty in the game’s very last act, the referee blowing for full-time instead!

The senior squad duly made the most of their good fortune to emerge victorious from the ensuing penalty shootout.

There was something of an upset in the remaining tie where AFC Skirlaugh of ER County League Division 4 overcame Hedon Rangers 3rds, who had finished top of Division 2.

Skirlaugh were on the front foot from the start and they took the lead before half-time, courtesy of a fine solo effort from Rhys Ward. The same player then doubled the lead immediately after the interval and when he completed his hat-trick with another good finish, Skirlaugh had one foot in the semi-finals. Hedon pulled one back through a Chris Dale header from a long throw-in but Sami Coskunsu quickly restored Skirlaugh’s three-goal lead. To their credit Hedon rallied, Matty Franklin adding a second goal to leave a final score of 4-2 to The Reds who progressed to a semi-final meeting with Hedon Rangers. 

Semi-finals

In a first for the competition, both semi-finals took place at the same venue on the same evening, with Tuesday seeing a host of players and supporters descend on Patrington.

The first team to book their place in tomorrow’s final were Hedon Rangers, thanks to a 3-0 win over AFC Skirlaugh.

Ryan Whincup, Tom Brugge and Matt Whitehead were the Hedon scorers, with Jay Marshall passing up the chance to add a fourth when seeing his second half penalty saved.

The scoreline doesn’t quite reflect the efforts of a Skirlaugh side some six divisions lower in status and a team that caused their opponents problems at times, with Hedon indebted to goalkeeper Tom Rouse during the early part of the second half when the game was still finely poised.

Having kicked off slightly later and with a stoppage after just nine minutes for a nasty facial injury to Easington United skipper Luke Taylor, the other semi-final remained in the balance long after Hedon had secured their passage.

In the event, Liam Murrey’s 28th minute goal proved decisive in putting out a very talented young Sproatley Juniors side and ensuring a meeting of Easington and Hedon in the final.

Final

Holders Hedon Rangers will again start as hot favourites in their attempt to make it an eighth success since first lifting the trophy in 2008.

It will be the fourth time the two teams have met in the Final. The first, back in 2007, saw The Eastenders edge matters but Hedon took revenge with victories in 2014 and 2015.

Having also lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019 (either side of breaks in the competition) Rangers will start as strong favourites tomorrow as they aim to complete a hat-trick of wins. 

The South Holderness Cup is one of the oldest of its kind, having begun life as the South Holderness League’s knockout competition in 1950. Burstwick Rangers were the first winners, overcoming Patrington United in the final.

On the demise of the League in 1954, the South Holderness Cup was revived in its present format and first played for in 1956, with Hedon United the winners and Patrington again the beaten finalists.

Since then the Cup has taken place on an annual basis with the exception of 1981 and 2018 (when there was no cup committee in place to run the competition) and last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. To have it back is a real tonic for followers of the local grassroots game, as has been shown by some of the attendances at games.

Kick-off for tomorrow's final is 6.30pm.

Picture courtesy of Jay Stephens (via Patrington AFC's Facebook page)