Published: Sunday, 11th May, 2008 12:00
Tilehurst triumph for Tavern
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Dee Road Rangers 1 Whitley Tavern 3
In front of an appreciative crowd both sides settled quickly and moved the ball around with confidence.
James Braithwaite went close with a half chance as Dee Road pushed for the opening goal but in the 10th minute Tavern striker Raymond Spence was pulled down on the edge of the area.
Specialist Justin Somerville carefully placed the ball before curling a brilliant shot into the top right corner of the net, past the despairing dive of keeper Abid Hussain.
Rangers’ Shayne Small-King tried to emulate Somerville shortly after but he was unable to direct his shot and he fired wide of the target.
Rangers showed some good approach play but lacked the finish they needed to get back on level terms. James Braithwaite volleyed over the bar before Alex Leacock rose superbly at the far post to head back across goal only for Tavern to clear.
Tavern went close to extending their lead five minutes from the break when Spence unselfishly squared the ball to the hard-working Danny Seaward whose low shot lacked power and was dealt with comfortably by Hussain.
Dee Road’s Haniv Maine brought a good save out of Tavern keeper Steve Marshall with a 25 yard drive on the stroke of half-time.
After the break, Small-King went close with an angled drive while another Maine drive was blocked. Then Leacock headed over the bar before Jemel Johnson had a shot turned around the post by Marshall.
Dee Road stormed forward and an equaliser looked to be inevitable. A Small-King free-kick bounced back off the post and Braithwaite just failed to make contact with the rebound.
But midway through the second period, hard-working striker Seaward headed home a Somerville free-kick to give Tavern a 2-0 cushion.
And the win was sealed in the 85th minute when substitute Aaron Baker ghosted through the Dee Road defence before blasting a shot goalwards. Keeper Hussain managed to block the shot but the lively Baker followed up to slot home for a 3-0 advantage.
Rangers netted a late consolation with a superb solo effort from Johnson but it was to be Tavern’s day.
Tavern’s Barry Elmore was presented with the man of the match award by Guest of Honour Mr P Hicks (League chairman and Life Member).
Whitley Tavern dedicated their victory to Reggie Choules, who recently passed away – a fitting tribute to Reggie whose daughter was presented with a medal.
Spokesman Carl Reid was delighted with the team’s success and commented: “The lads played their hearts out in memory of Reggie and Dee Road played their part in a great final.”
The match was well marshalled by referee Mike Rowley and assistants Steve McMahon, Peter Hitt and Mark Donlan.
Dee Road Rangers: A Hussain, A Wickham, P Massaquoi, H Maine, A Leacock, M Richardson, J Forde, M Bartley, A Alleyne, S Small-King, J Johnson, A Lewis, D Dudman, J Braithwaite, G Nicholls, T Bentley.
Whitley Tavern: S Marshall, P Anderson, K Roberts, A Barrett, M Smith, K Mullins, D Ward, J Medford, R Spence, T Swift, J Somerville, A Baker, P Taplin, D Seaward, B Elmore, L Bird.
Tavern enjoyed a second celebration at the weekend when they beat champions Stevie B’s 6-1 to secure the runners-up spot in the Senior Division.
Raymond Spence led the way with a double blast while further strikes came from Timmy Swift, Paul Taplin and Carl Reid.
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