The 2003/04 Gledhill Cup Fl - The Old Vic FC versus McDonald Property FC - Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Football Alliance.

May 2024 saw the 20th anniversary of the Gledhill Cup final of May 2004

that was played between the Alliance Champions Old Vic FC and Division 2A

title winners, McDonald Property FC in the Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Football

Alliance. It was said to be one of the most exciting Gledhill finals of all time

as the Old Vic came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 in extra time.

Here is the full match report from May 7th 2004 as well as extracts from the

match programme.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Football Alliance Gledhill Final. 

Sportspy Reports (07/05/04)

Reporting on the high drama of last night’s Gledhill Trophy Final played at Bloomfield Road between McDonald Property FC (2A) and the Old Vic (Prem).

What an occasion. Shortly before 7pm the decent sized crowd took their seats full of anticipation. With many wives, girlfriends, proud parents, young children, small babies and friends turning out bedecked in the relevant club colours the atmosphere was at fever pitch as referee Dave Wolfenden blew his whistle and got proceedings under way with the Old Vic in their luminous green and black strip kicking off towards what used to be the South Paddock.

Old Vic manager John Bailey, resplendent in a luminous green shirt of his own and looking as smart as it’s possible for John Bailey to look occupied the home dugout, his considerable presence almost fully occupying the designated manager’s area that Steve McMahon will never grace again.

The old Vic started with Darren Williamson in goal. The 4-4-2 formation consisted of centre halves Sean Slater and Andy Moran with Mike Anderson at left back and Steve Perkes at right back. Across the middle from left to right were Lee Beavers, Barry Perkes, captain Terry Beavers and Greg Spencer. Up front were Darren Smith and Graham Parker.

McDonald manager Andy Griffiths also started with a 4-4-2 formation. Partnering Andy Hill up front was Ryan Bingham. Across the middle from right to left were Mark Jackson, Martin Dodgson, Steve Hill and Rick Gilby. At full back were Michael Veitch on the right, Mick Thorne on the left with Phil Baggaley alongside skipper Mike Hartley at centre half. Steve Morrell was in goal.

On two minutes the Old Vic forced a corner that was swung across by Lee Beavers but this was easily dealt with by McDonald. The 2A side settled the more quickly of the two sides and on only three minutes they took the lead. Thirty five yards out they were awarded a free kick. Steve Hill picked up the ball and played a short pass out wide to Rick Gilby. The flying winger took it on a couple of yards and swung over a fine cross towards the far post that found Mark Jackson unmarked. Despite the ‘early game’ adrenaline flowing he showed great composure by cushioning his header back towards the edge of the box for Andy Hill to smash a first time half volley towards goal. Williamson in the Fleetwood goal was in the right place as he made a reaction save but the ball bounced out and with the Old Vic defenders slow to react Ryan Gilby pounced on the loose ball and wrapped his right foot around the ball and fired an unstoppable shot across Williamson. 1-0.

This provoked much celebration from the McDonald contingent as well as instilling confidence into every player. For the next five minutes with the Old Vic looking like they were still in the changing rooms McDonald took control. Martrin Dodgson in midfield was running the show winning lots of ball and creatively bringing wingers Jackson and Gilby into play. After only ten minutes the Old Vic captain Terry Beavers called for a new pair of boots but this didn’t improve things for the Old Vic.

McDonald’s Mark Jackson was simply on fire early on dominant in the air as well as terrorising defenders on the floor. Just before the twenty minute mark McDonald deservedly and amazingly increased their lead. More quick thinking this time from Rick Gilby as he found Ryan Bingham with a quickly taken throw from the left. Bingham looked up and played a square ball for the impressive Mark Jackson. He initially had some luck as an Old Vic defender slipped on the greasy pitch before he danced around another defender cut inside, drifted past another and with more great composure looked up and struck the ball past Williamson. The McDonald bench were sent into dreamland as the players wildly celebrated. The Alliance champions were dumbstruck and shell-shocked as they simply stood around with hands on hips wondering what was going on. Anybody walking in off the street with no knowledge of the Alliance would have thought that McDonald Property were the team from the higher league. 2-0.

At long last the Old Vic began to settle down and play the great passing football they’re capable of. After twenty-five minutes talented midfielder Greg Spencer got his head on the end of a Terry Beavers corner and was unlucky to see his effort skim the top of the crossbar and go behind. Spencer was now looking a class act and for the last twenty minutes of the first half he was just magnificent. On twenty-seven minutes and with McDonald players backing off him his brilliant dribbling skills took him at pace towards the McDonald box. He drew the last defender before playing a neat ball into the channel for Graham Parker. The Old Vic striker lashed the ball low across goal, it eluded everybody before falling to the feet of Lee Beavers at the far post. He cleverly controlled the difficult ball before driving it through a host of defenders and past the outstretched arm of keeper Morrell and into the net. 2-1.

This gave the Old Vic a boost and for the rest of the half they dominated the game. Terry Beavers and Greg Spencer were now fully in charge giving the Old Vic the majority of the possession reducing McDonald to chances on the break. However, it was McDonald who created the next best opportunity. Gilby and Bingham again combined well on the left with the latter playing in a vicious cross that found Andy Hill unmarked. His great leap allowed him to place a firm downward header that fizzed only inches wide of Williamson’s right hand post.

At the other end the McDonald players were perhaps guilty of giving Greg Spencer too much respect as the skilful midfielder looked impossible to dispossess. The ball appeared to be stuck to his feet as he continually turned the opposition defenders inside out. After more good work from Terry Beavers brother Lee went close following a snapshot from the edge of the box that Morrell did well to gather. On 35 minutes the Old Vic had a good claim for a penalty. Spencer attempted to knock the ball over Mike Hartley and from my lofty position in the stand the ball looked to clearly hit Hartley’s arm. A big shout went up from the Fleetwood players and crowd but referee Wolfenden waved play on. I’ve seen them given for less but McDonald escaped.

For the last ten minutes of the half McDonald were largely at sea as the Old Vic onslaught continued. On 38 minutes Graham Parker entered the referee’s notebook for what appeared to be dissent. On 41 minutes there was a very nasty clash of heads between the McDonald right back Michael Veitch and The Old Vic’s left midfielder Lee Beavers. The long delay ended with Beavers recovered but Veitch having to leave the field on a stretcher. He played no further part in the game and all hope he wasn’t too seriously injured. Paul Higham replaced Veitch at right back and after three minutes of additional time for the stoppage the referee blew for half time.

Half time score : McDonald Property FC 2:1 The Old Vic

During the interval Dean Hartley of 3A’s the Mariners Bar won the penalty shootout after finding the net with all five spot-kicks. The £150 prize was very well received. Good to see a player like Hartley who turns out week in week out for a struggling side whilst scoring a creditable amount of goals getting some glory in front of a big crowd on a famous stage.

McDonald got the second period under way defending the Kop end in their white shirts and dark blue shorts. The second half began pretty much as the first had ended with the Old Vic enjoying the majority of possession. McDonald manager Griffith’s looked to have spelled out the danger as Greg Spencer was kept considerably quieter in the early stages of the half. After only four minutes Graham Parker was played through but clear away against the keeper he was controversially given offside. Old Vic manager Bailey, stalking the manager’s designated area like an angry bear was far from happy as he berated the linesman on the far side.

The Old Vic began to menacingly press forward looking for the equaliser but all too often they were guilty of their old habit of over elaboration as they tried to walk it into the net. On 58 minutes referee Wolfenden this time did see Hartley handle the ball as the McDonald skipper intercepted a dangerous through ball with his hand five yards outside the box. The referee deemed it to be deliberate as he produced the yellow card. Barry Perkes took the free kick and this produced perhaps the best action of the night as his fiercely powerful free kick was brilliantly saved by Morrell who dived full length to make a double handed save up in the top corner deflecting the ball out for a corner, a magnificent save from an excellent free kick. On 65 minutes the Old Vic came close to equalising. Terry Beaver’s influence on the game was becoming more marked as he again took the ball towards the McDonald box. He played a pass to the hard working Darren Smith who in-turn laid it off for Lee beavers but his first time strike was again well grasped by ‘Moggs’ Morrell in the McDonald goal.

On seventy minutes McDonald substitute Mark Brooks came on for left back Mick Thorne moving into midfield with Steve Hill occupying the vacated left back position. Moments later McDonald again restored their two-goal advantage slightly against the run of play. With the Old Vic pushing players forward for an equaliser they were left short at the back. For the third time in the match the Old Vic were caught cold by a quickly taken set piece. Just below the stand Mark Jackson picked up the ball and took a quick throw down the line to Andy Hill. He controlled it well cut inside and played a great square ball for Ryan Bingham. He took the ball on, beat Sean Slater progressed towards the edge of the box and from a central position blasted it past Williamson and into the net scoring his second of the match. 3-1. As the McDonald players wheeled away to celebrate the goal amass the Old Vic players looked down and out.

On seventy-three minutes Old Vic manager John Bailey brought on John Beavers and took off centre half Andy Moran. John Beavers moving to right midfield with Barry Perkes moving to centre half and Greg Spencer taking a more central role. How would the Old Vic react to the setback? For the next five minutes they came back into the game again with Terry Beavers leading by example showing great determination in the tackle. After a blatant push on McDonald’s Mark Jackson ruled that the Old Vic skipper had been over enthusiastic in his task and cautioned him with the third yellow card of the game. With McDonald content to sit back and soak up the pressure the Old Vic mounted wave after wave of attacks. A quickly taken free kick by Lee Beavers was well watched by Morrell as he pushed it around the post for a corner.

A second Old Vic substitution on eighty minutes saw Richard MacSymons replace Steve Perkes and with time running out John Bailey used his third and final substitution three minutes later bringing on Paul Bailey for Lee Beavers in effect creating three strikers. This move had an immediate effect as the Old Vic pulled one back. The outstanding Terry Beavers powerfully drove into the box with the ball at his feet before firing it across goal. My view was slightly hindered but it looked as though Daz Smith at the far post unselfishly took the pace of the ball whilst laying it off for the advancing Paul Bailey and with almost his first touch since coming on the super sub placed a side footed shot past the despairing Morrell. 3-2.

McDonald were now on the rack as the fired up Old Vic threw the kitchen sink at them searching for an equaliser but with five minutes to go they defended stoutly repelling all of the Old Vic’ advances with considerable ease. Ninety minutes were on the clock as the Bloomfield Road floodlights came on. To waste some vital seconds McDonald manager Griffiths made his third substitution bringing on number six Nick Preece for striker Andy Hill. The great and the good in the executive boxes were polishing off the prawn sandwiches and numerous committee men were busy setting up the presentation table. With the McDonald contingent whistling, the engraver poised to start writing the letter ‘M’ on the trophy and the blue and white ribbons about to be tied to the trophy the Old Vic scored to make it 3-3. It was a moment that perhaps epitomised the spirit and determination of the Alliance champions. A cross was floated over from the far side and with the Old Vic filling the penalty area with nine players it was the left back Michael Anderson who gave every last drop of effort in climbing above the defender and heading back across Morrell and into the far corner of the net. 3-3.

The resultant scenes had to be seen to be believed as the stark contrast of emotions between the two sets of players were clear to see. Michael Anderson was engulfed by the entire Old Vic squad including the substitutes as well as a number of assorted children whilst the McDonald players just slumped to the ground. After four minutes of injury time the final whistle went.

Score after ninety minutes: McDonald Property FC 3:3 The Old Vic

Every credit to McDonald Property as they defied expectations and really came back into the game very strongly despite the Old Vic players understandably having the advantage after the late goal. McDonald’s Martin Dodgson had been moved up front with Bingham whilst Preece moved into midfield.

Parker had the first chance for the Old Vic but just as he was poised to shoot he was cleanly tackled by Steve Hill but Parker picked up an injury in the process resulting in him having to leave the field. With all three substitutions played the Old Vic were down to ten men.

McDonald then created a clear-cut opportunity. A great ball to Gilby down the left sent him clear and he played over a perfectly timed ball into the path of Dodgson who really should have scored but was instead denied by a last gasp challenge. At the end of the first half of additional time more drama as McDonald were awarded a penalty. Good work from Dodgson played in Steve Hill. He took on a couple of defenders and just as he was about to pull the trigger he was adjudged to have been tripped by and Old Vic defender. No hesitation from the referee as he pointed to the spot. Substitute Nick Preece bravely stepped up to take it but his well-taken penalty looked to be saved by a combination of the Old Vic keeper and the post and the ball was hacked away to safety. The first period of extra time finished with the scores still level at three a piece. A great period of play for McDonald but they just couldn’t find the net.

With all the players understandably tiring the Old Vic began to dominate, Graham Parker returning to the pitch after being patched up. Again they were guilty of over cooking things around the box but inevitably the goal came. Striker Darren Smith picked up the ball on the left edge of the box and dribbled it into the area. The McDonald defenders perhaps wary of the penalty incident they’d received minutes before in the same area of the pitch backed off allowing Smith to look up and place a perfectly placed shot across Morrell and into the net. The Old Vic quite wisely began to run down the clock and apart from two corners near the end from which Preece ended up shooting from the edge of the box, the second powerful effort hitting the top of the bar there were no further chances of note. Referee Wolfenden bringing proceedings to a close with a sharp blast of the whistle.

In summary this was a fantastically entertaining game of football from start to finish in which both sides more than played their part. The game was exemplary officiated by Dave Wolfenden, Alex Gear and Dale Harvey along with fourth official Colin Bascombe. Division 2A’s McDonald Property were seconds away from glory but it just wasn’t to be. They can take great pride in their performance in which every player did themselves proud playing to the height of their capabilities perhaps surprising a few people with their brave and skilful team display. There were performances of note especially from Mark Jackson, Ryan Bingham and Mike Hartley at the back who alongside Baggaley marshalled his troops well. McDonald Property FC will undoubtedly look back on the 2003/04 Season with some great memories.

A memorable display from the Old Vic who’s grit and determination again came to the fore. Twice in the game they looked dead and buried but they eventually came back due to great spirit and determination to win the game. Greg Spencer put in one of the performances of the season with a great display of attacking midfield play. Terry Beavers had his usual awesome game as did Darren Smith. Two unsung heroes Michael Anderson and Sean Slater also had impressive games always giving 100% effort.

McDonald skipper Mike Hartley led his team up the stairs for the losers medals, the second time he’s made the runners up walk after defeat for the Dunes against the King Edward in the 91/92 season. Then it was the turn of the victorious Old Vic squad and as captain Terry Beavers held the trophy aloft the appreciative crowd showed their appreciation for John Bailey’s team as they celebrated winning the second leg of a famous double with gusto, congratulations to all the players, officials and supporters of the Old Vic. Making my way down Bloomfield Road chants of ‘Championies’ filled the air.

Well that’s it, the season’s over. Enjoy the summer, enjoy a lie in on a Sunday morning as well as a cooked breakfast. Re-introduce yourselves to the girlfriend, the wife and kids and look forward to next August and the new season. Come on England !

Until next season, enjoy the break.

Sportspy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------