Wigglers make Historic Cup Final!
Written by Andy Jones (The Scutler Rag)
The League Cup final, a memorable day for both sets of fans. Liverpool were looking to make it 8 League cup victories and Wiggleville were set for their first final of the competition.
The media build up predicted a resounding win for Liverpool and the feeling around the Falcon’s Nest was one of subdued optimism, having lost in the FA Cup 5th Round to West Brom and having flirted with defeat against Man Utd.
Wiggleville arrived at Wembley and took in the sights, the younger members of the squad who missed out on the play off final the previous year soaking up the atmosphere whilst those that had been once prepared themselves for the battle ahead.
The build up and preparation begin, the boys were told the final starting line up and were told to go out their and perform for the fans, make them proud to be a supporter of the Wigglers. The 18 man squad list was passed onto match referee Alan Wiley. Starting in goal was the recently unbeatable Raastad, in front of him was a back 4 of Bishop, Taylor, Haskell and captaining the side Mitchell. A flat balanced midfield quartet of Luck, Lee, Newton and Liverpool supporter Paterson. And leading the attack were Onos and leading goalscorer Martin.
Liverpool started the game with Reina, Degan, Dossena, Hyppia, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Riera, Lucas, Alonso, N’Gog and Nemeth. There were again accusations that the premiership teams had underestimated us and devalued the competition, but that didn’t matter to us, we were there to play football against one of Englands most succesful sides.
The game kicked off and Wiggleville were certainly the brighter of the 2 sides forcing a save out of Reina after 6 minutes, some good build up play allowed Newton to play Martin through who got free of the defenders and struck towards goal, the Liverpool keeper was equal to it and turned it away. a minute later Wiggleville were on the attack again with a long pass up field by Bishop being met by Onos who shot wide.
Riera had a chance a few minutes later as a Alonso corner was cleared by Paterson, however Rieras shot also went well wide. After a hectic 10 minutes the game settled down as both teams tried to build attacks, each defence holding firm. Onos 17 minutes later once again sent a shot wide and from the goalkick Liverpool were on the attack with Riera, however his pass to Nemeth was well intercepted by Haskell who held firm and calmly played the ball out to Bishop who played a lovely ball forward for Luck. His run was cut short by Dossena who cleared the ball out for a throw.
From the throw in Wiggleville had another chance but Reina collected and launched a counter attack, however his kick was too long and Raastad played out to Bishop. Wiggleville looked to build from the back but Bishops pass to Paterson was intercepted by Nemeth. Liverpool attacked and Nemeth played a driving ball in towards the 6 yard box, and amongst the confusion the ball found its way into the Wiggleville goal, Stuart Mitchell being recorded as the scorer of an own goal. Liverpool 1-0 Wiggleville (Mitchell O.G. 27)
Wiggleville kicked off and had the chance to equalise not 4 minutes later when Dossena brought Onos down recklessly in the area, Taylor stepped up to take it but Reina again was equal to it. Despite Will Luck playing lady luck just didn’t seem to be on Wigglevilles side. That is until 6 minutes later when Liverpool again gave away a penalty Riera tripping Bishop. Neither the manager or the players had any arguments when Taylor once again stepped forward to place the ball on the spot and this time he made it count. Liverpool 1-1 Wiggleville (Taylor (pen) 37)
Lee had a chance just before the break to send Wiggleville ahead as he hit a volley, but it sailed well wide of the post. With 2 minutes of injury time the feeling around Wembley was that the 1st half would end 1-1, Martin had different idea as just before the whistle Paterson played a clever ball through to Onos, who had been largely disappointing, allowing him to progress forward and drive a low driven pass across the face of goal allowing Martin to tap in from close range. Half Time Liverpool 1-2 Wiggleville (Martin 45+2)
A big change was made at half time with opening goalscorer Mitchell taken off and replaced by Beckett, the captains armband was given to Taylor and the second half was his to command. The players were reminded how they got here through grit and determination and were told to show the same desire in the second half.
Onos seemed to have found his confidence following his assist when 5 minutes in he thought he’d scored but it was rightfully ruled out for offiside, but it was a clear statement of intent from Wiggleville who sensed Liverpool were possibly crumbling. This was shown when Dossena picked up a yellow card 3 minutes later for a trip on Luck. On the hour mark N’Gog, who had been very quiet during the game was replaced by Plessis, and Kuyt was replaced by Lucas. The Wiggleville players knew Liverpool were rattled and continued to press 67 minutes in Paterson had a good chance but his long range shot clipped the bar and went out for a goal kick. Minutes later Martin drove foward and had a low shot put out for a corner, Lee whipped it in from the right and at 6foot 4inches Martin easily met the ball and powered his header home. Liverpool 1-3 Wiggleville (Martin 69)
With the 3rd goal it became one way Wiggleville traffic, Liverpool failing to create anything against a defence brilliantly led by Taylor. And as the manager was making a change in the 87th to see the game out, bringing Horrox on for Onos, allowing Newton to sit as a defensive midfielder, Wigglevile found the net for a fourth and final time, through our midfield workhorse Ben Newton who deserved his goal. Lurking on the 18 yard box he fired home a rebound after Martin had driven a shot at Reina who could only parry the ball away. Liverpool 1-4 Wiggleville (Newton 87)
The goal proved to be the last real action of a sensational second half display by League 1 leaders Wiggleville FC. League Cup champions and a place in Europe the following season. The manager publicly praised the team and the fans in his post match press conference, saying that “The fans deserve this but no more than those lads who have battled out there today”. And thats exactly what they did and had done in all previous round the battled and fought for results and throughly deserve the success!
