BWDIC Semi Final Roseland's V Melbourne Inn 7th March 2015

[Dave]

Buddens Westinsure Devon Intermediate Cup Semi Final

Roselands (1st) v Melbourne Inn (1st)

Saturday 7th March 2015 Kick-Off 2pm


Referee Richard Clutterbuck

Assistant Referees Harry Chambers & Paige Longworth-Wakeham

Venue Paignton Community College 3G Pitch Waterleat Road, Paignton

Final Score full time Roseland 1 Melbourne Inn 1 After extra time the score was two all, Roseland's won the penalty shoot out by four goals to three

The last team to represent the South Devon League in the final of the Buddens Westinsure Devon Intermediate Cup, were Babbacombe Corinthians, who were runners-up in 2009, a year after Buckland Athletic 3rds had won the trophy. This cup is set up in such a way that each area are guaranteed a semi-final place each year, could Roselands make tit through to the final and ensure there was a team from the South Devon League in it?

To do so they needed to beat Melbourne Inn FC, a team who have enjoyed a good season so far in the 2nd division of the Plymouth & District League.

Roselands entered the cup in round two home to Kingsbridge & Kellaton United, they won this fixture 7-1. In the 3rd round they beat Newton Rovers away by six goals to nil. In the 4th round they were away again, this time to now defunct team Polonia Torbay winning by two goals to one. The 5th round saw them at home again this time against Watcombe Wanderers winning by three goals to two. Their quarter final game was an away fixture with AFC Staverton, winning by three goals to nil.

Melbourne Inn entered in the first round of the cup playing away to Pennycross SC 1st, a game they won by three goals to two. They were away again in the 2nd round this time taking on Kitto FC winning by six goals to one. Their third away game on the trot in the 3rd round they won by five goals to two against Oak Villa. The 4th round tie saw them at home for the first time in the competition against Woodford, a game they won with ease by five goals to nil. This result put them straight into the semi- final meaning they did not have to play a 5th round tie. In the quarter final they had to travel away again, this time to Princetown winning by three goals to two.


Roseland’s have scored twenty one goals in this cup so far and have only conceded four. Melbourne have also not been shy in front of goal, they have scored twenty two goals and conceded seven. On paper this game had goals written all over it, but the real question was would Roseland’s have an advantage playing at home on the 3g pitch they are used to playing on.

Sadly for Roseland’s they had at least six key players missing and just before Kick-off another player felt unwell enough to play in the match. But they gave everything in a match that was full of twists and turns and enough drama to keep everyone happy.

Roseland’s made the much better start of the two teams and came close to taking an early lead when from the edge of the Melbourne box, Zane Turner hit a fine shot that crashed against the crossbar. Just after this effort on goal Gary Aldons got a shot away just inside the area but he had to stand and watch as the ball flew over the bar.

On the thirty five minute mark Roseland’s took a deserved lead, the ball was chipped up to the edge of the Melbourne box and keeper Waldemar Biniak maybe should have done a bit better as he came out rushing to the edge of his area. He failed to get to the ball before Roseland’s number eleven Craig Corcoran who then took the ball on a yard or two before firing home into the empty net.

Roseland’s Max Prestwood got to a lose ball that should have been got to first by a Melbourne defender and forced a great full length save from Waldemar Biniak, who got the ball behind for a corner. At this stage of the match Roseland’s were well worth their lead and managed to hold onto it until halftime.

They started the second half well enough and came close to adding to their first half lead thanks to Liam Walton. He hit a great shot with the outside of his right boot just outside the area that hit the crossbar with Waldemar Biniak well beaten.

As the half wore on the Roseland work rate seemed to drop and slowly but surely Melbourne started to get on top and create a number of goal scoring opportunities with just fifteen minutes left on the clock their pressure got them their rewards when their player wearing the number fifteen shirt (no name beside that number on the team sheet) fired the ball home from inside the box.

Neither team were really able to create another good goal scoring chance before the referee blew up for the end of the ninety minutes. So extra time it was and to be honest the way Melbourne were now playing, they looked likely winners.

One class ball from the Melbourne midfield played in their number eleven Max White who was able to get the ball past Luke Piller who came out trying to close down the angle. He then jumped over the keeper and rolled the ball into the back of the net. The ref blew up for the end of the fist half of extra time.

Well I thought, another year with no South Devon League team in the final as I could not see where a Roseland goal was going to come from. I just expected Melbourne to score again and kill the game off.

Thankfully the Roseland manager used his skill to change things around and it very soon paid dividends early in the second half of extra time. Roseland’s won a corner on the left hand side, as the ball came into the box it was cleared behind for a second corner, this time on the right hand side. The ball was fired high to the back post and headed in at close range by Danny Rainbow.

That was it and this tie was now about to be decided by penalty kicks. Melbourne took the fist kick and scored, Roseland’s then did the same. Luke Pillar pulled off a fine save and Roseland’s then scored their second kick. All they needed to do as their manager told them, was to score the three remaining spot kicks.

Their forth penalty taker sadly missed his kick but as he walked back with his head down, he missed the next Melbourne spot kick that looked like it was saved by Luke Pillar, but the jury is out on that one. Roseland’s made no mistake with their final spot kick and as the ball hit the back of the net the celebrations began.


The odds were really against Roseland’s today, but they are a great bunch of lads and on the balance of the whole game, fully deserved to make it through to the final. A big well done and thanks for a very enjoyable afternoons cup match and good luck in the final.