FC Hodnet, the team who hit the headlines when they toured Canada representing the English FA as Market Drayton Tigers Under-21s, came of age this week by completing a great double.
They beat Technical Services 3-1 on Wednesday evening, adding the Alliance League Cup to the league crown they lifted with a 5-0 victory over Hopesgate on Saturday.
Emphasising the comparative youthfulness of the side, it was 16 year-old Niall Evans who opened the cup scoring with a fine header Andy Baker hit the second and man-of-the-match Tom Minshall made it three with a breathtaking volley from 30 yards.
Technical Services pulled one back but it was never going to prevent Hodnet’s celebration.
Saturday’s win over Hopesgate United was helped when, on five minutes, a Martin Lalley corner saw the keeper fumble and Andy Baker nodded a header in.
Baker had another header saved and the ever-busy Niall Evans was just wide with the rebound. Keeper Matty Evans was out sharply to deny Hopesgate a breakaway goal.
Darren Beech cut in on the left and forced a great save from the keeper but Hopesgate hit back and Evans had to punch cleanly under pressure.
Sub John Pritchard, on for the injured Lalley, was soon in action with a 30 yard shot well saved.
It was still all to play for until two goals in four minutes finally killed off Hopesgate.
On 51 minutes, Beech was pulled down and although the usually reliable Dan Pollard’s penalty was pushed out, the poaching instincts of Pritchard brought a goal.
Niall Evans was now causing real problems and on four minutes later his run and cross saw Baker volley home the third.
Soon after, Nick Wooliscroft’s long throw helped Beech score from close range and Karl Clewes did a Ronaldo side-footing in Ross Ramuite’s corner for the fifth.
FC Hodnet have dedicated the title to Nick Pollard, a popular player who died at Christmas.
