NORTHWOOD'S CUP FINALS OVER THE YEARS
Player profiles Team Report Photos
Spartan League Cup Final 1992
Corinthian Casuals 1 Northwood 2
(at Hanwell Town FC)
Friday 8th May 1992
Team line-up | |
1 | Ken Lavender |
2 | Scott Singleton |
3 | Paul Curran (sub off) |
4 | Ronnie John |
5 | Rob Holland |
6 | Jeremy Billins |
7 | Paul Rogan |
8 | Tim Vincent |
9 | Warren Patmore |
10 | Dave Nolan |
11 | Garfield Blackman |
Substitutes | |
12 | Andy Edey (sub on) |
SQUAD PROFILES FROM 1992
ALAN MERISON - Manager
Alan has been quick to point out that the last time that a Northwood won a League Championship in 1979, it was he that was Club Captain at the time and he has performed a remarkable "double" with the winning of the Spartan League title as Manager. Appointed in 1988 after cutting his managerial teeth with Harrow Borough's Suburban League side, he set about transforming Northwood into a successful side. He has now been in charge for four years and the Woods have always been amongst the title challengers while at the same time establishing a name for playing attractive football.
KEN LAVENDER - Goalkeeper - Age 30.
Joined the Woods during the Summer of 1988 having had previous experience at Kingsbury, Wealdstone, Southall, Harefield United, Woking, Queens Park Rangers, Harrow Borough and Chesham United. Vastly accomplished and has been a regular in the side since the retirement of long-serving John Toogood in 1989. Has now made over 150 appearances and was a member of Northwood's 1990 League Cup winning side.
SCOTT SINGLETON - Defender - Age 22.
Scott is a recent signing for the Woods and has quickly made the right-back position his own. Previously at Harrow Borough and Leatherhead, Scott is a converted striker from his North Greenford United days but is still looking for his first Northwood goal.
PAUL CURRAN - Defender - Age 28.
Paul joined the Woods in December 1988 and has hardly missed a game since. He was a steadying influence in the heart of the defence but has been converted to left-back in recent months where he has been equally effective. He has been an ever-present this season. Previously with Kingsbury, Hendon and Finchley, Paul is not renowned for his goalscoring prowess with just two goals in 133 appearances. A member of Northwood's 1990 Cup winning side.
PETER AUGUSTINE - Defender - Age 28.
Peter joined the club in October 1990 to fill a void at left-back which had been left by the departing Lee Randall who went off to seek his fortune in Australia. He has been a valuable asset throughout this season and has now made 75 appearances for the club, scoring two goals. Previously with Edgware Town and also Kingsbury, Pete is renowned for his sense of humour and his love of Geoff Foster's comments. Recently suspended after reaching five bookings this season, he is now available to play tonight.
RONNIE JOHN - Defender - Age 23.
Northwood's most recent signing actually eligible to play in tonight's Cup Final, he made his debut in the Quarter-Final here at Hanwell Town in late February having signed from Wembley. His pace at the back has added new confidence to the whole Northwood team.
ROB HOLLAND - Defender - Age 27.
Rob is the current Club Captain and has added a tremendous strength to the Northwood defence since signing from Chalfont St Peter in November 1991. Although he has struggled with a hamstring injury since joining, he has formed a promising partnership with Ronnie John at the back and he also provides an extra dimension with his height from set pieces.
Robert is vastly experienced having played at Harrow Borough, Wokingham Town, St Albans City, Staines Town and Southall where he played in the 1986 F.A. Vase Final at Wembley. Prior to this he also played a few Football League matches for Crewe Alexandra.
PETER LAMMIN - Defender - Age 38.
Peter has been a familiar figure in the heart of the Northwood defence for ten years having made his debut back in early 1982. A superb example of a player committed to a club, Pete has returned to first-team duty to cover for injuries on many occasions in the last two years and it was fitting that he scored the final Northwood goal in the 3-1 victory over Haringey two weeks ago which won the Woods the League Championship.
JEREMY BILLINS - Midfield - Age 25.
Joined the Woods in January 1990 but only broke into the side last season with some tough tackling performances in the centre of midfield. He was sorely missed when out through injury earlier this season but has been ever-present since returning in late October. "Billy" has an eye for spectacular goals and has now netted nine this season.
PAUL ROGAN - Midfield - Age 24.
Paul actually played in the Woods 1990 League Cup Final but on the opposite side for Cheshunt ! He signed for the Woods in March 1991 and took time to establish himself in the side. However he has held the central midfield role for the past few months with some excellent performances. He is a former Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers Youth player and has also had experience at Enfield and Boreham Wood.
TIM VINCENT - Midfield - Age 31.
A vastly experienced player who has been invaluable to Northwood since joining during the Summer of 1989 having had previous experience at Southall, Harrow Borough, Maidenhead, Uxbridge, Ruislip Manor and Chalfont St Peter amongst others.
His thoughtful approach to the game often wins matches and he has enjoyed another fine season with 17 goals to his credit. He has scored in each of the three previous rounds of the League Cup competition and Tim also played in the Woods 1990 League Cup win over Cheshunt.
DAVE NOLAN - Midfield - Age 21.
One of Dave's first games for the first-team came in the League Cup Final in 1990 having just forced his way into the team as a 19 year old following two years as the reserves top goalscorer. He was then converted to a full-back and it is only in recent months that he has been able to play in his preferred midfield role. Having taken over thirty matches to score his initial first-team goal, Dave has now netted nine this season including four in the recent 12-1 demolition of Beckton United.
GREG PHILLIPS - Midfield - Age 25.
Last season's Player Of The Year, injury has affected Greg's performances this season but he has still chipped in with ten goals in just over thirty appearances. He recently scored his 50th goal for the club with the winner against Corinthian Casuals back in mid-March, having made 115 appearances since signing from Wembley in April 1989 - an excellent strike-rate from midfield. Another member of the 1990 League Cup winning side, scoring the third goal from the penalty-spot.
ANDY EDEY - Midfield/Striker - Age 27.
Injury has restricted Andy's appearances this season to just thirty but he has still netted 16 times and produced some breathtaking pace and silky skills when on song. Having joined from Junior football in August 1989, "Edey" has scored almost 50 goals in only 90 full appearances and has just worked his way back into the side after missing two months through injury. Another member of the 1990 Cup winning side.
WARREN PATMORE - Striker - Age 20.
Warren joined Northwood from Harefield United in January and quickly made his mark in the first-team by equalising a club scoring record with five goals in one game against North Greenford United. His talents have been spotted by Cambridge United for which he has played reserve team games and he has now scored 16 times in only thirteen matches for Northwood.
Warren also has another talent as he is a professional golfer and he seems to have the choice of possible sporting careers at present.
GARFIELD BLACKMAN - Striker - Age 24.
"Gazza" has been a regular in the Woods side since making his debut back in March 1988 and is fast approaching 200 appearances. A regular goalscorer, he currently leads the scorers list with 23 goals and he also has Middlesex County representative honours to his credit. The seventh and final member of Northwood's 1990 League Cup winning side.
THE MATCH REPORT
Goalkeeper Ken Lavender saved a twice-taken penalty as Northwood ended the season by adding the Spartan League Cup to the Premier Division championship at Hanwell Town’s ground.
The drama started when, with Woods leading 2-1 in the second half, Ron John was penalised for handball. Though Casuals' Martin Clark netted, the penalty had to be taken again as a forward had encroached into the area. This time, Lavender dived full length to make a tremendous save and, though Casuals had other chances before the final whistle, Woods were able to hold on for victory.
Woods created the early chances when a Tim Vincent effort was cleared off the line and Warren Patmore went close. And they went ahead in the 15th minute after Nolan, put through by a superb 30-yard ball from Vincent, had his shot cleared off the line for a comer, but Garfield Blackman headed home Paul Curran's flag kick.
Casuals, however, were by now settling into their attractive style and Lavender had to be at his very best, while Ron John at the back was also in fine form. Casuals almost equalised when they hit a post, and Lavender made a superb reflex save when the ball rebounded to a forward. Meanwhile, at the other end, a Rob Holland effort from another Curran corner crashed off the bar.
Casuals came out after the interval and again tested Woods to the limit, but Lavender continued to be in fine form and saved well on several occasions. But Lavender had little chance midway through the second half when, from a short corner, the ball was floated over for Stuart Johnson to head home.
Corinthian Casuals were having their best spell of the game but, against the run of play, substitute Andy Edey won a corner, which the defence failed to clear, and Vincent rifled the ball into the top of the net.
Then came the penalty save drama as Woods held on to win.