United Counties League - Premier Division

Yaxley  2    Ford Sports Daventry  1

Wednesday, 02 May 2007

The Cuckoos closed their season on a winning note whilst long serving Simon Acton announced his retirement after 7 years worth of first team appearances at Leading Drove. Acton was made skipper for the night as Yaxley moved up the table to finish 15th in the table - well clear of any relegation threat..

Visiting 'keeper Andy Millard needed to be in fine form as the Cuckoos dominated the first half, turning away a John Patten header from a corner and saving well from Simon Acton. Mark Paul went close on several occasions before the deadlock was broken by a stunning 25 yard Ricky Cornish free kick after 29 minutes. A great double save by Millard from Simon Acton kept the margin to a single goal at the break.

Fords went close on resumption with a long range Ben Collins effort forcing Phil Dunn to tip over, while Damon Black's header from the resulting corner was blocked on the line.

Scott Bogusz doubled Yaxley's lead after 66 minutes, weaving past a couple of challenges before netting with a shot from the edge of the box.

Paul Currier cleared off the line from Paul as Yaxley sought to seal victory, but a late Fords rally saw Dunn turn over a fierce Danny Wright effort.

The visitors scored a consolation in stoppage time, manager Darren Foster coming forward to feed Dale Linton whose cross was swept in by Sammy Haynes.

After the game manager Gary Clipston said that he can't wait for next season. "We've done what we set out to do and next season I start with a clean sheet. It's interesting that last season, Deeping finished 3rd from bottom and this season won the league. Watch this space ...".

Yaxley: Phil Dunn, Lee Blewett, Ian Edge (Jon Olive), John Patten, Ricky Cornish, Jimmy Dean, Steve Burns, Scott Bogusz (Dan Fountain), Mark Paul, Jon Stead (Mark Kingston), Simon Acton.

Ford Sports: Andy Millard, Ben Collins, Adam Pickersgill, Paul Currier, Darren Foster, Craig Archer, Damon Black, Liam Pickard, Ian Waldock, Sammy Haynes, Danny Wright (Dale Linton).