Those Were The Days; 8th April 1996

[Les1949]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS
8th April 1996

Middlesex Senior Cup Final (@Yeading FC)

Hayes 3 Hampton 2 (Collyer, Lewis) aet Att; 600

Hayes;-
Russell Meara; Jon Brady, Martin Randall (Jason Roberts), Warren Kelly, Andy Cox, Jason Goodliffe, Neal Stevens, Steve Baker (Eddie Mee), Joe Nartey (Andy Hedge), David Pearce, Darron Wilkinson.

Hampton;-
Mark Russell; Danny Collyer, Warren Drew (Richard Sell, 87’), Tom Maloney (Phil George, 99’), Steve Cheshire, Dave Rattue, Barry Moore, Gerry Harvey, Mark Fabian, Robin Lewis (Lyndon Buckwell, 75’), Darren Smith.

A makeshift Hampton side, missing Jim Wigmore and Warren Bayliss, ran Premier Division side close, only going down in extra time. Steve Cheshire, starting his 350th game, for the Beavers gave an impressive performance in midfield. Hampton took a shock lead against Hayes who got off to a slow start in the afternoon sunshine. Collyer intercepted a poor back pass from Jon Brady and thumped the ball past Russell Meara. Hampton then went 2-0 ahead in the 20th minute, Moore whipped a cross in, Cheshire missed his shot but ex-Hayes player Lewis turned the ball in from close range. Referee Mick Robinson put his mark on the game when he sent off firstly Andy Cox and then Harvey, both for second bookable offences (in all 14 bookings were made during the game). The loss of Harvey in midfield hurt Hampton more and in the 70th minute Hayes scored through Neal Stevens. This was followed a little while later by a very dubious penalty which Warren Kelly put away. Hayes looked stronger during extra time as Hampton tired, Jason Goodliffe firing in the winner in the 98th minute. Hampton did have chances to take the game to a penalty shoot-out, George and Smith going close, whilst Collyer had a late penalty appeal turned down.


The Old Historian