Downend win Gilbert Pullin Memorial Cup

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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Premier Division Downend proved too strong for Division I outfit Sportsman as they deservedly won the Sunday Regional League's Gilbert Pullin Memorial Cup for the first time at Fry Club.

Downend dominated the opening 45 minutes to go into half-time 1-0 up and they doubled their lead early in the second half. Sportsman pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left but never looked capable of taking the game into extra-time.

Pete Mather failed to hit the target with an early header from a free-kick before Downend settled down to take charge, with Jordan Yeo running on to a ball over a square Sportsman defence to bring a brilliant save from goalkeeper Kurt McGill.

Downend kept up the pressure and Chris Johnston broke down the right to set up Lee Smart, whose header was off target, while Yeo fired just over after cutting in from the left.

Jack Spence saw a close-range shot blocked by a Downend defender and trickle into goalkeeper Ricky Marsh's hands before Downend went in front eight minutes before half-time. Smart was brought down by goalkeeper McGill as he cut into the penalty area after racing on to a through ball and Johnston's low drive from the spot gave the keeper no chance.

Five minutes into the second half, McGill failed to cut out a cross from the right, leaving the unmarked Smart with the simplest of finishes at the far post to make it 2-0.

Yeo created an opening for Johnston, whose well struck shot was turned away at full stretch for a corner by McGill before Sportsman pulled a goal back when Christian Irwin cut in from the left to beat Marsh with a well-struck low drive into the far corner of the net.

Downend finished the game well on top and Alex May twice failed to hit the target with McGill stranded outside his penalty area.

● Coalpit Shaft finished their first season in the Wessex Sunday League with a trophy to their name after beating The Robins 5-3 on penalties in the final of the President's Cup.

The match finished 1-1 after extra-time. The Robins, who won this season's GFA Sunday Minor Cup, took a first-half lead through Nathan Rendell but their advantage was quickly wiped out by an equaliser from Kai Tong.

Neither side was able to break through in the rest of normal time, or in extra-time, but Coalpit held their nerve to win the shoot-out.

PO Sports were convincing winners of the League Cup final, beating The Swan (Hanham) 6-2 despite falling behind early on.

Sports, runners-up in this season's GFA Sunday Intermediate Cup, and The Swan, beaten finialists in the GFA Sunday Minor Cup, were both desperate to finish the season with a trophy. But it was Sports who ran out worthy winners thanks to goals from Jamie Sheppard (2), James Batchelor (2), Paul Cooper, James Donegan and Adam Gregory.

Garry Denner and Steve Jones scored for The Swan.

The league season ended with Cutters Friday as Senior Division champions and Ashton FC as runners-up, with The Sunday Slackers and Friesans relegated to Division I.

Division I champions SCS Sunday and runners-up UWE Dynamos were promoted to the Senior Division, while Zimba FC and BAWA Athletico Reserves went down.

Rhubarb FC won Division II and will be joined in Division I next season by Golden Lion Fishponds, who took the second promotion place on goal difference.

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2 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Lee Smart, bristol

    Tuesday, August 04 2009, 12:16PM

    “I would like to thank Chris Johnston for being a swell guy throughout the season. Not only did he teach me how to play football but also on how to be a better person. Love you Chris.

    Ps- Thanks for setting up all my goals”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Chris Johnston, Bristol

    Tuesday, May 12 2009, 3:00PM

    “Hello,

    I would just like to add a few things to the article. Firstly, well done to all the Downend FC guys, we are a club based with deep family values and the majority of the squad have known each other since we were very young. Secondly, I would like to congratulate the officials who were all excellent on the day and ensured the game wasnt overshadowed by poor decisions. Finally I would like to congratulate myself on being the best player on the pitch. You dont get much better than me.”

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