Beach a doubt for Cup final
Devonshire Cougars could be without two key players for tomorrow’s Martonmere Cup Final showdown at Wellington Oval with PHC Zebras.
There was uncertainty surrounding the health status of prolific striker Raymond Beach who missed his team’s convincing home win a week ago against Paget Lions at the Den.
When queried last night over his striker’s whereabouts, Cougars’ coach Shawn Smith replied: “Beach has been out injured and remains doubtful at this point in time. But hopefully he will be fit to play on Saturday.”
Beach’s health issues have only served to heighten concerns at the Den as number one goalie Ricardo Brangman is also listed as “doubtful” through pre-arranged travel plans.
Cougars’ back-up ‘keeper, utility player Lovintz Tota, is also out injured — leaving the Big Cats without a bona fide goalie on the eve of their seventh cup final appearance in the past five seasons.
Smith, who captained Cougars to a first Martonmere Cup title at Lords in 2001-02, said he is prepared to take matters into his own hands, if needed, and keep between the uprights himself during Saturday’s cup clash with Zebras.
“We are still hopeful that Ricardo (Brangman) will play. But if not the game will go on and you could see myself playing in goal,” Smith confirmed.
Cougars blasted cup holders Dandy Town 5-0 in the semi final to advance to a third Martonmere Final in five-years.
In 2001-02 Cougars were the underdogs coming up against highly fancied North Village. However, two snap-shot strikes from midfielder Mark Smith and a Heys Wolfe gem of a free-kick earned Cougars their very first major domestic cup title under coach Albert Smith.
The roles, however, have now been reversed with Cougars now heavily favoured to win a second Martonmere Cup and fifth domestic major trophy in five years in what will be their fourth overall appearance in the Remembrance Day final.
It will also be the Big Cats’ third overall cup final showdown against Zebras and first since the 2004-05 Friendship Trophy Cougars won in extra time.
Cougars have enjoyed the better of Zebras in recent times, scoring 14 goals in the previous three meetings against their rivals in pinstripes while conceding only five against.
Yet despite his team’s current dominance over PHC, Smith remains cautious.
“PHC are a cup team who have winning cups more or less in their genes. We know they have some experienced players and we do expect to see Kyle Lightbourne (Zebras’ player/coach), Sammy Swan and Kenny Mills while Raynel (Lightbourne) is also a striker capable of scoring,” Smith noted.
“I guess it could all come down to how well we defend. I wouldn’t underrate them and I guess on paper we do have the upper hand. But the game is played on the day and so we will have to wait and see how things pan out in the end.”
Cougars’ sweeper Omar Butterfield has enjoyed a stellar season thus far, but given the sizeable width of Wellington Oval could find himself put to task against Zebras’ forwards Lonnie Bascome, Swan, Mills, Dennis Russell, Raynel Lightbourne or even the forceful Omar Shakir.
In midfield Cougars could have the edge on paper with playmakers Domico Coddington, former Zebra Kori Goddard and skipper Kwame Steede also expected to milk the spacious pitch to their own advantage. Should Beach be declared fit for tomorrow’s clash, his pace could trouble the Zebras’ defence, though youngster Marquel Waldron could be given the mammoth task of marking the top poacher on the day.
Zebras, who last won a Martonmere title 24 years ago under coach Leroy (Nibs) Lewis, have lost their last two cup finals in the East End while Cougars are gunning for a second straight win at Wellington Oval following last season’s Champions Cup triumph over Village.
Smith added: “If we can play attacking football and put away our chances, then we should do okay.”
Zebras, meanwhile, last defeated Cougars in a cup final (Friendship Trophy) in 1972-73. This will be PHC’s eighth overall trip to the Martonmere final, and first under new coach Kyle Lightbourne who is faced with player unavailability issues of his own.
PHC, who have gone five-years now without winning a major cup title, will be without inspirational team captain Blenn Bean due to religious reasons.
Still, Lightbourne remains upbeat. “The game is played on the field and so we’ll just have to go out there and try and play to our full potential,” he told The Royal Gazette.
Zebras have already proven this season they can rise to meet the big challenge, having edged seven-time Martonmere champions Village in the group stage of the 35-year-old competition and then snapping Somerset Trojans’ unbeaten record in the semi-final in extra time at the Den.
“It’s all about executing on the day that matters most,” Lightbourne continued. “And so we’ll just have to go down there (Wellington Oval) and try and execute the game plan.”
Tomorrow’s Martonmere Cup Final will be preceded by the Women’s Konica Cup Final involving defending champions Lady Cougars and challengers Lady Rams.
Instead parking will be available inside the Mullet Bay Park and Tiger Bay and within the surrounding area.
The association also advises the public that there will be a heavy police and private security presence at the grounds prior, during and after the game.
In addition to the matches, the BFA will also be making a special presentation with proceeds from the Charity Cup, played last September, to beneficiaries Marischal (Mop) Astwood, Troy Smith and Vernon Symonds.
At Wellington Oval St.George’s Colts take on Commercial outfit St.George’s All Stars in the second match of a double-header while Valley FC meet Vasco in the first.
Elsewhere First Division Devonshire Colts tackle Pest Control and Prospect host BAA at Police Field, X Roads host Wolves at Garrison Field, St.David’s host MR Onions at Lords and Ireland Rangers welcome Robin Hood to Malabar.
Cougars start favourites against PHC
