Ten-man Town turn up the heat in extra-time
Dandy Town 4 Wolves 2 (aet, score at 90 mins 2-2) Dandy Town inflicted more heartache on Wolves as extra-time goals from Darron Simons and Heys Wolfe left the Devonshire club still without a major trophy after a thrilling Martonmere Cup final at St David's yesterday.
Town, down to 10-men after Kevin Hurdle was dismissed for two bookable offences moments after replacing Simons in stoppage time of the first extra 15 minutes, came from behind to force the game beyond the 90 minutes and then claim the trophy for the second successive year.
But Town coach Mark Trott, who was relieved to see his side hit some form despite being without national player Devarr Boyles, had words of consolation for his opposite number Dennis Brown in the moments of elation following the final whistle.
"I feel for Dennis because he and I are real close friends, both being coaches of the national under 23 side,'' said Trott. "I know he wants something for his side real badly and for me, today, they had it, and perhaps just because of a little inexperience, they let it get away.'' Town had taken a 16th minute lead from the penalty spot, Wolves goalkeeper Cymande Davis hauling down Simons after misjudging the bounce of the ball at the edge of his six yard area. Earl Richardson blasted the spot kick straight and high as Davis dived to his right.
But Wolves were back on level terms within six minutes with Town defender Jahmiko Marshall taking the spotlight in the moments leading up to the goal.
First he was booked for deliberate handball as Wolves attacked the Town left.
Seconds later he brilliantly hooked Khari Sharrief's header off his own goal line with goalkeeper Antoine Lightbourne beaten. But as the ball fell loose on the right edge of the area for Mark Ray to shoot from an acute angle, Marshall was in the way to divert it into his own net.
Wolves began to up the tempo, but Reggie Tucker was inches away for Town with a fine volley as the holders enjoyed a rare breakaway.
In the 31st minute, however, Wolves went ahead following a wonderful move started and finished by the impressive Sharieff, who seemed able to drift past defenders at will.
Sharrief picked the ball up on the left inside his own half, surged into Town territory and kept running to accept a neat return pass from Nathan Webb on the right edge of the area. He shrugged off a challenge just inside the box before whipping an effortless shot past the helpless Lightbourne.
Wolves continued to dominate but Simons should have levelled for Town in the final moments of the half as the ball ricocheted to him eight yards out on his favoured left foot. With only Lightbourne to beat, though, he shot wide of the far post.
It looked as if the gods were on Wolves' side as Town started the second half powerfully, hitting the woodwork twice in three minutes.
First Reggie Tucker blasted the ball against the bar from 15 yards after a good move involving Wolfe, who had replaced the injured Richardson just before the break. Then Lionel Furbert headed against the post from the last of four successive corners.
Four minutes later, Simons missed another excellent opportunity after Tucker's spin and pass had put him clear.
Town finally equalised in the 67th minute, Pernell Douglas turning to hook a loose ball past Davis from the edge of the area.
Wolves were struggling to hang on in the final minutes but Ellington Weldon missed an excellent chance to settle the issue when he dragged the ball wide in the dying seconds of normal time.
It took 14 minutes of extra-time for the deadlock to be broken as Simons finally got on the scoresheet, shooting home when Wolves failed to clear a corner.
Simons was almost immediately replaced by Hurdle, who ensured a nervous last 15 minutes for his team-mates as he incurred the wrath of referee Stuart Crockwell twice in a matter of seconds, first for use of the elbow and then for something he said and received the red card.
But Wolfe made certain of the victory three minutes before the end as he and fellow substitute Cecil Wilkinson combined on the break and Wolfe curled the ball beyond the advancing Davis.
Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, J.Marshall, D.Steede, W.Rudo, D.Bailey, E.Richardson (H.Wolfe 42 mins), P.Douglas, L.Furbert, D.Simons (K.Hurdle 104 mins), S.Minors (C.Wilkinson 54 mins), R.Tucker.
Wolves: C.Davis, C.Smith, T.Davis, L.Simmons, Nakia Smith, A.Thomas, M.Ray, D.Simmons (T.Trott 105 mins), Nirobi Smith (E.Weldon 70 mins), K.Sharrief, N.Webb (C.Lopes 70 mins).
Referee: Stuart Crockwell Men of the match: Reggie Tucker (Town); Khari Sharrief (Wolves) Yellow cards: J.Marshall, D.Steede (Town); T.Davis, Nakia Smith (Wolves) Red card: K.Hurdle (Town)
