Action from the Under 13s final between Melksham Town and Amesbury Town (21787/6)

AMESBURY Town battled hard, but the loss of key players during the game proved just too much for them as they lost the Under 13s League Cup final to rivals Melksham Town Youth by the odd goal in nine after 90 scintillating minutes.

The game opened sensationally, with Harry Beckley netting after just four minutes following a Finn Drury lay off but the officials disallowed the goal.

Amesbury were in control in the opening period, with the back line, superbly marshalled by Tyler Brockway and Adam Flint, containing the tricky Melksham forwards.

In the 18th minute Melksham went ahead when a superb cross from the right was allowed to bounce at the far post and Bradley Parsons headed home just inside the upright.

Amesbury Town soon hit back when a long ball from Conor West found Jack Smith who threaded a delightful ball through to Beckley who calmly rounded the goalkeeper before netting.

Six minutes into the second half Beckley gave Amesbury Town the lead, pushing into box on the right side and scoring with a well struck shot before Melksham hit back to equalise.

Amesbury Town regained the lead when Nathan Nightingale crossed low from the right and the ball sped across the penalty area where Jake Chambers and a defender met the ball together. The ball rebounded into the area where Josh Wightman showed great composure before hammering it past the Melksham keeper from close range.

Amesbury goalkeeper Tom Hollinworth made some good stops and his handling and punching were first rate as helped to keep Melksham at bay.

It seemed like the trophy might be in sight but disaster was to shatter Amesbury Town's dreams just minutes later when Conor Harrington suffered a serious injury.

The game was stopped for 20 minutes whilst the player was attended to by the medic before being taken to hospital for further treatment. He was later diagnosed as having a broken arm and the league would like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Melksham snatched an equaliser when Toby Briggs scored from close range following a left wing corner.

The game went into extra-time, with Melksham clearly in the ascendancy and within two minutes they took the lead. Flint was adjudged to have fouled a Melksham forward in the penalty area and Billy Cookson stepped up to hammer the spot kick past Hollinworth.

The game seemed to be definitely over with five minutes to go when a poor free kick from Amesbury Town was pounced upon by Charlie Austin who promptly curled a superb shot past Hollinworth.

But Amesbury battled back though and claimed a fourth goal with just two minutes remaining. With the ball having already been cleared out of the Melksham area, there was a clash between Brockway and his opposition central defender in the box as the two players squared up to each other.

The referee decided that the original foul had been committed by the Melksham player and awarded Amesbury a penalty before sending off both players. Flint cracked home the spot kick but it was a case of too little, too late for Amesbury Town as Melksham finished 5-4 winners.

The teams were presented to Melksham Town chairman Mick Perrin at the end of the game and he chose Melksham's Billy Cookson as man-of-the-match.

Melksham were presented with the Jack Goodenough Cup.

The game was refereed well by Philip Miles, with assistants Ben Williamson and Rob Escott.

Philip Miles was presented with his shield and trophy for best level five referee and Rob Escott for best level seven.

4:50pm Monday 12th May 2008

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