LEICESTER NIRVANA UPSET CHAMPIONS WITH CUP FINAL WIN

YAXLEY 0 LEICESTER NIRVANA 1
UCL KNOCK OUT LEAGUE CUP FINAL AT KILN PARK, RAUNDS TOWN FC
7 MAY 2018 --- 3PM

LEICESTER NIRVANA UCL CUP WINNERS 2017/18

An exquisite lob from Will Gonga just five minutes into this tense final was enough to secure the cup for Nirvana against Champions and favourites Yaxley.  However on a blisteringly hot afternoon it was the Leicester based side who got the victory through a fantastic work rate that never gave Yaxley time to develop much until the final few edgy minutes.
The United Counties League Cup Final has been a game I have tried to attend over the last few years and indeed my first ever was at Yaxley a few years back when the ever rising Rushden and Diamonds featured but todays final staged at Raunds Town was a club and area I wanted to take a few games in at.  Always requiring a bus ride from Wellingborough I had somewhat delayed the inevitable and today being a Bank Holiday with less services seemed like an interesting day to rise to the challenge!
Departure from base station just after half past ten saw a sharp change in Leicester before arrival at Wellingborough allowed 20 minutes and a brisk walk into the town to catch the X47 to our destination some 50 minutes away.

IT HAD TO BE DONE

The route seemed lenient in time but when we queued to get into Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre it was clear that the countries national hobby was not going anywhere too soon.  Through the busy little town of Rushden I strained to see Rushden and Higham's ground but failed to eye spy it, onwards to Higham Ferrers a smart village which offered up some smart old buildings so much so I wanted to get off for a look around but with time pressing we were soon back onto the A45.  Much additional straining to try to glimpse the now defunct site of Nene Park former home of Rushden and Diamonds which has by all accounts now been reduced to rubble, what a great shame.
Welcome to Raunds with the sight of a large black pool of smoke rising into the air close by the vicinity of the ground a worrying vision, anyway having departed early it was a for a specific reason and it just had to be done.  I can hear the tut's and grumbles its childish, schoolboy humour I know but I needed a picture of the gloriously named 'street' entitled Titty Ho!  Apparently nobody knows the origin of its name but a short while after I found myself walking a lovely back lane with a glorious selection of houses astride it only to find I was now on Rotten Row!

RAUNDS BOOTMKERS MARCH TO LONDON

There had of course been a little time to pop into the Coop for hoppers provisions, view the town hall and on this International Workers Day take a look at an impressive sign near the centre.  This bronze plaque drew your attention to the Raunds Bootmakers march to London in 1905 in a demand for better conditions and pay after the craftsman had made footwear for the soldiers.  Setting off on 8 May they were not seen by the hierarchy in London but on the 14 May were greeted at an open air meeting by 10,000 people and addressed by Keir Hardie The Labour Party founder, everyday is a school day certainly something learned again on the travels.
Having cut off the previously mentioned Rotten Row the evidence of the large fire was a shed that had gone up by the side of a house and the Fire Service were out in numbers cooling everything down.

KILN PARK HOME OF RAUNDS TOWN FC

The ever expanding town gives up Kiln Park on its northern edge surrounded by new housing developments, an Asda and joy of joys, even though there was not time, a big 'M's'!  This gorgeous day offered up a smart ground with an excellent looking pitch and after paying in and obtaining a programme a quick circuit was completed.  To the left and the far goal was open with the Macs behind it to the far side and the only disadvantage here is the pitch is set to far away from the pitch side railings the top side must have 30 yards between you and the action and it was somewhat like watching at an athletics track ground without the track, two smart brick built dug outs were unforgiving in blocking the view with these being built obviously by the touchline.

MIND THE GAP

Behind the opposite goal is more space used today for pre match by Nirvana and then we come back down to the entry side two separate brick backed terraces, a toilet block, the changing rooms, snack bar and the main stand with to the rear and outside the ground a functional bar area and finally by the entrance another covered terrace.  Here I have to say I'm not sure of the ground history, except to say the club played previously at The Berristers nearer to the town centre, today the ground has a 70's feel although it was build around 1991, however on this sweltering day there was some good cover for those who wanted it.
Yaxley had won the UCL and now their next challenge was to secure the UCL Cup and with Leicester Nirvana sat in a mid table position with a lot of games played recently due to wet weather  affecting the clubs season I guess most neutrals would be expecting a double.

JACOB LEHANE LINES UP HIS TEAM AND TODAYS CAPTAINS

This was forgetting how determined Nirvana were from the off and when after just five minutes the only goal of the game saw Will Gonga break away following a lovely through ball he lifted the ball over the Yaxley keeper Olly Sutton from 20 yards and wheeled away to celebrate as the ball fell inch perfect into the far side of the Peterborough sides goal.

WILL GONGA [7] GIVES NIRVANA THE LEAD

Both keepers proceeded to make excellent saves shortly afterwards but the remainder of the half produced little in goal mouth action terms, of course there was no shortage of endeavour and Nirvana set about their task to keep the Champions out.

A CALM DOWN MOMENT ON A HOT DAY

The second half showed Yaxley in determined mood but the superb physical effort from Leicester Nirvana was keeping them well at bay indeed it was themselves who went closest on 70 minutes when Mandeep Bains put in a cross for Matt Melbourne who fired over.  In the closing stages we finally saw Yaxley threaten the Nirvana goal with two free kicks the first superbly saved by Phil McGann and the second well held after efforts from Dan Cotton.  The final minutes had seen the Nirvana fans cheering on their encouragement something they had done all afternoon they were a lively yet friendly set of supporters who I had enjoyed spending some time with during the game.  Not missing out Yaxley fans looked resplendent in their clubs shirts and today they just didn't quite make it to be double winners.

YAXLEY PRESSURE AS STUBBS CLEARS

The presentation at the end was a double one with Nirvana firstly picking up the cup for todays hardworking and deserved victory and then after a moments celebration they sportingly formed a guard of honour as Yaxley were presented with the UCL Championship trophy.

YAXLEY UCL CHAMPIONS 2017/18

In addition the man of the match award was given to Leicester Nirvana captain Billy Stubbs an award that I don't think anybody could question he was awesome today standing out in defence and in his roll as captain.
Time to go after a close final that produced an enthralling game the return journey saw the X47 drop me in Wellingborough in time for hoppers provision and a gentle back street stroll to the station for two 125's with a change at Leicester base was arrived just after 8.30pm.