SELSTON SECURE LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE

SELSTON 2 HUCKNALL TOWN 0
CMFL CHALLENGE CUP AT THE IMPACT ARENA [ALFRETON]
30 APRIL 2017 --- 3PM

CMFL LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE WITH SELSTON MANAGER CRAIG WESTON AND
 HIS CAPTAIN BEN MOORE

Selston celebrated a league and cup double with this tight victory over fellow CMFL Southern Division side Hucknall who pushed their fellow Nottinghamshire club all the way.  But it was to be 2 goals in the final throes of this encounter, one apiece from Carl Moore and Wayne Cooke that settled the outcome.

THE BALL IS READY

As ever this popular final was staged at Alfreton Town's Impact Arena and again on a Sunday giving hoppers a chance to attend and they were there in numbers in an attendance of 553 today which included a very large following from Hucknall Town.  From a personal point of view its was good to catch up with many including Burnley Dave, Chris, Michael and many CMFL officials and referees, well done Gareth Davies on your promotion too.  Mark and Brian were doing a steady trade in the programme shop and the queue for the snack bar was large so you knew this would be a good turn out and both sets of fans seemed up for the occasion.

HOPPERS A PLENTY AT THE IMPACT

Arrival at the ground was via a convoluted route from the north of base town thanks to taking in a Sunday League game before the dash to Alfreton.  As ever this would prove to be a tight game between two of the best of most consistent teams in The CMFL South this season.  It was good to see former Alfreton Town player and of course Selston manager Craig Weston before the game now back on his 'home' turf.

EARLY ACTION WITH BOTH SIDES CONTESTING EVRY BALL

No ground descriptor is necessary today as the blog as covered The Impact many times before but it makes an excellent venue for CMFL final proceedings.  The first half was a testing affair for the supporters with little give in both sides even though they both hit the bar.

SUPERB SAVE FROM RANDALL FOR HUCKNALL

Hucknall keeper Michael Randall pulled off a wonderful fingertip save to deny Selston and then he raced out to superbly save as Dominic Airey looked to slot home.
Overall a disappointing first half that really should have seen Selston with the advantage in the goal counting stakes.

SELSTON ON THE ATTACK ON THE SECOND HALF

The second half did not prove much of change in the entertainment stakes but the possession swung in favour of Hucknall who seemed to have Adam Nelson in the right place often but the goal would not come for the Town.

CARL MOORE [10] ABOUT TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK

With 2 minutes remaining as we all looked forward [?] to extra time a free kick off the right was flicked on by Daniel Henshaw for Carl Moore to convert at the far post, start wild celebrations as this late goal wold make it difficult for Hucknall to come back.

CELEBRATIONS AT 1-0

Indeed much as they tried in the 4 minutes of added time they fell to a second from the classic additional sucker punch when Wayne Cooke raced away and coolly placed the ball past the out coming Randall from 20 yards with the last kick of the game.
Referee Beards whistle sounded immediately on a workmanlike final both sides giving there all I guess from a spectator point of view it needed a little more open football but they were just so well matched and you had to feel sorry for a losing finalist in Hucknall who had given so much.

SPARE A THOUGHT FOR HUCKNALL THEY GAVE IT THEIR ALL

But this time around it was to be Selston whose players were of course joyous alongside their League title they have a long hard season as they enter, I guess, The EMCL with lots of summer work to do including a small case of some floodlights.  On a personal note I'm pleased for them as a club and there manager Craig Weston who is always a pleasure to catch up with.  Best wishes to both clubs for next season with Hucknall hopefully looking forward to their new ground too.