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Champions!
Damian Ainsworth24 Mar - 17:22
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Last minute winner seals the deal for the Invincibles of Menston
Kirk Deighton made international news in 2000 when it was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In fact, many sources refer to the village by its full name of Kirk Deighton SSSI. An ordinary-looking grassland field deep within the locality, with nothing but a couple of ponds in it, is home to one of the largest known breeding populations of great crested newts in the United Kingdom. As salamander fan WB Yeats famously pointed out, while on a walking tour of the motorway service stations of the A1(M), 'tread carefully [in Kirk Deighton SSSI] for you tread on my newts'. In breeding season, accommodation in Kirk Deighton SSSI is almost impossible to find. Research has revealed that on Booking.com the average cost of a four-night stay in town reaches an eye-watering £4,181 during 'newt week'. Book early!
Accommodation was almost as scarce today as supporters of Menston Rangers were only too aware that victory might seal the league title, a fact which was confirmed when Clifford were held to a draw by Pool earlier in the day. Not that a talented and wholehearted Kirk Deighton side were ever going to make things easy.
On an awkward playing surface, the game took a while to settle down. Chances were scarce in the opening half hour but the deadlock was eventually broken by the home team who went into the break a goal to the good. Rousing words from coach Taylor brought about immediate improvement from Menston and the second half saw wave after wave of attack. Some good goalkeeping and some inopportune bobbles kept Deighton in front and with Ainsworth putting a penalty wide of the goal and only 10 minutes left on the clock, obituaries were being composed.
But Menston remained unbowed and when Fleming and Imran were reintroduced onto the field things started to happen. With 5 to go the keeper parried Ainsworth's effort and the marksman pounced to slot in the rebound. 1-1. Chances continued to come Rangers' way. The referee indicated 3 additional minutes and the crowd held their collective breath. An always threatening Lambertino worked his way into the area and saw his shot saved but Bates, with ice in his veins, was there to poke the ball home. 2-1. The crowd roared its approval. The newts shuddered. The final whistle blew.
A ridiculous last-gasp triumph to cap a ridiculous season for the boys of Menston Rangers.
Accommodation was almost as scarce today as supporters of Menston Rangers were only too aware that victory might seal the league title, a fact which was confirmed when Clifford were held to a draw by Pool earlier in the day. Not that a talented and wholehearted Kirk Deighton side were ever going to make things easy.
On an awkward playing surface, the game took a while to settle down. Chances were scarce in the opening half hour but the deadlock was eventually broken by the home team who went into the break a goal to the good. Rousing words from coach Taylor brought about immediate improvement from Menston and the second half saw wave after wave of attack. Some good goalkeeping and some inopportune bobbles kept Deighton in front and with Ainsworth putting a penalty wide of the goal and only 10 minutes left on the clock, obituaries were being composed.
But Menston remained unbowed and when Fleming and Imran were reintroduced onto the field things started to happen. With 5 to go the keeper parried Ainsworth's effort and the marksman pounced to slot in the rebound. 1-1. Chances continued to come Rangers' way. The referee indicated 3 additional minutes and the crowd held their collective breath. An always threatening Lambertino worked his way into the area and saw his shot saved but Bates, with ice in his veins, was there to poke the ball home. 2-1. The crowd roared its approval. The newts shuddered. The final whistle blew.
A ridiculous last-gasp triumph to cap a ridiculous season for the boys of Menston Rangers.
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