East Cheshire Football League
Mary Dendy clinch Inter-League Cup in dramatic style
By Matt Eagles
May 18, 2008, 20:08

Trade Mark Collections East Cheshire Football League

Inter-League  Cup Final at the Cumberland Arena, Crewe-14/5/08

Mary Dendy    1       Bentley    1 ( a.e.t)

 22’ Matty  Morris                    30’ Anthony Tinsley

Mary Dendy win 3-0 on pen

After missing out in the Subsidiary Cup Mary Dendy deservedly secured their first trophy in seven seasons after  defeating Bentley from the Crewe and District league in a tight game at the Cumberland Arena.

In glorious sunshine Bentley had the better of the opening minutes  but once Dendy switched to a more tight passing game they began to make in roads. On 22 minutes Matty Morris gave Dendy the lead . Collecting the ball about 25 yards out he  ran at the Bentley defence finally unleashing a thunderous shot which gave the keeper no chance. Dendy’s advantage lasted only eight minutes as back came Bentley with a spectacular strike of their own, Anthony Tinsley curling a shot past Stuart Davies that went in off the post.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first half , very tight with few chances for either side but things changed on 74 minutes when Gareth Worrall , who had been cautioned for a foul minutes earlier  was given a second yellow  by referee Temmen  and sent off.  It put Dendy under pressure  and with several players going down with cramp , gave the advantage to Bentley. Centre half Chris Shepherd was superb  marshalling the defence and Paul Cronshaw dropped back to assist from midfield. As always Will Tolley worked tirelessly upfront.

With no further goals after ninety minutes the game went into extra time and with both teams struggling with fitness the game almost inevitably went to a penalty shoot out. Matty Morris confidently despatched the first and goalkeeper Stuart Davies immediately gave Dendy the advantage comfortably saving Bentleys’ first spot kick . Paul Cronshaw made it 2-0 and when Bentleys’ second effort was scuffed wide of the goal ,it meant if Dendy scored again and Bentley  missed the cup was theirs. Up stepped substitute Gary Burns to make no mistake. It was all too much for Bentley who skyed their penalty over the bar to trigger wild celebrations from the victorious Dendy team.