Saturday Plate Semi Final – Classic Lupton 8 – 1 Royal Park

When Ricky Hatton hit the canvas for the third and final time in the early hours of Sunday morning, it came as no surprise to those watching. His astonishing refusal to offer any form of meaningful defence to a relentless barrage of abuse was punished by a blow to the head that could have derailed a train. The Classico’s opponents earlier that day also displayed a remarkably similar show of contempt for learning their lesson. Opened up repeatedly by accurate balls in behind the very high and fat defence, Lupton’s all time record goal scorer Richard Booth delivered as clinical a display of finishing as you will ever see in intramural football, to send his team into one of two potential finals.

However, such a comprehensive scoreline could not have been envisaged after half an hour when Classic Lupton we’re struggling to get to grips with Royal Park. Although clear cut chances were not created by either side, the division two team were equipping themselves very well, and the flair players in blue found the ball hard to come by. Perhaps such a slow start on Lupton’s behalf could be put down to the fact it was their first game since March 21st. Or maybe only entering the changing rooms 10 minutes before kick off disrupted their usually ordered pre-match preparations. Such a gaffe on behalf of the organisers has become commonplace, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating. There are unverified reports which have suggested that at a similar time somewhere in Yorkshire a piss up in a brewery wasn’t quite going to plan.

Nonetheless, after being forced into an early change, with Paul Shawcross coming on for Luke Fairhurst who had suffered a mild concussion in a clash of heads with an opponent, the Classico’s finally took the lead when skipper Craig Thorpe broke down the right wing at speed before delivering a delicate finish over the head of the onrushing, overweight keeper from a tight angle. When the ball hit the back of the net, Lupton breathed a huge sigh of relief. The game was beginning to get increasingly scrappy and there was a collective feeling that they were in for an arduous afternoon. However the goal settled the favourites, and a minute later James Phillips had an effort ruled out for a debatable offside. Shortly after though Booth forced his way through the defence, admirably stayed on his feet, and delivered a composed finish to give Lupton a two goal cushion. Just before half time Booth added his second and his teams third to send his troops in at half-time breathing rather more comfortably than they might have been.

Half-time saw the Royal Park manager come over to the Lupton camp in an attempt to settle the simmering relations between the two sides, but his accusation of cheating towards the very able referee Joe Byrne only fanned the flames. Thorpe took particular exception to the fat, ugly, smelly, appallingly tattooed, hypocrite excuse for a manger, and had to be restrained by his team mates who correctly just wanted to focus on the game. He promises he has learnt his lesson and acknowledges that as captain he should set a better example. Sorry.

The second half began with Booth claiming his hat-trick, and creating a deficit of four. Lupton took this opportunity to rest Thorpe and the ever industrious Johnny Lamb for gaffer Anthony Hart and first half ref Joe Byrne. The remaining 30 minutes were a stroll for the Classico’s. The newly introduced subs combined well with Tommy Fearn and Chris Hodges, who were running the show in midfield. Always wanting the ball, they provided Lupton with a quality outlet, and their passing was nothing short of exemplary.

It must be said that the last 4 goals were a blur. What is clear though is that in the process of Booth nonchalantly completing his double hat trick, and Phillips adding to his season’s tally of 6, all the goals we’re top quality. The common theme was a floated ball over the top for one of the blues attackers to run on to and finish by outpacing easily a defence that was carrying extra weight and holding a stupidly high line. The failure of their ugly manager to realise this was quite embarrassing.

Throughout the game Lupton could quite easily have thought they were playing Newcastle United, such was the lack of threat posed in their area, but when called upon Adam Johns was a commanding presence between the sticks. In defence Gareth Heald was his usual calm self, organising the back line with authority, and alongside him George Chilvers was a solid partner. A willing header of the ball, George also loves to play with ball at his feet, and he played a fantastic ball through for one of Ric’s many goals. Shawcross acquitted himself well at right back, and on the other side Matt Watkins returned to the fold with an accomplished, determined performance in an unfamiliar position.

When asked for who caught his eye, manager Anthony Hart was reluctant to single out anyone in such a well rounded team performance, instead turning his attention to Wednesday’s final against Sports Science, where he sought to emphasise the credentials of his own side. “Sports Science in the week will be a tough game but I don’t want to talk about them too much to be honest, I think that the talk should be about us. I know we can compete with any team now and especially on the run that we’re on at the moment, with the players we have, I don’t think any team has a more in form striker or a better striker for that matter. I just hope Booth and indeed the team can carry the momentum into the final”.

On the prospect of potentially two games in an afternoon, Hart was conscious not to get ahead of himself. “The first of the potential double header on Wednesday will be our priority – it is the only game that we shall worry about and think about. The fact that there’s a potential winners final an hour after playing 90 minutes is nothing short of ludicrous, but lets not dwell on that until after Sports Science and until we know whether or not we know it will affect us. The only thing I will say though is that it will be the same for both teams”.

And so here it is. CLFC face their moment of truth. A cup final. A chance for glory. A chance to be heroes. An opportunity to create a story they can retell for years. But lose and their dreams will be in tatters. Such is the fine line of football, and only Wednesday will reveal which side of the line the Classico’s take.

Lupton –Johns – Watkins Heald Chilvers Fairhurst (Shawcross 25m)- Lamb (Hart 62m) Thorpe © (Byrne 58m) Hodges – Phillips Fearn – Booth: Unused subs – None

Attendance – Shanice, Dowse

Yellow Cards (0)
Red Cards (0)
Deliberate Shoulder Barges From Referee (1) – * Apparently

Filed under: Match Report by Ant Hart
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