Report

The Hope Valley retained the Harold Merrick Shield at the Silverlands despite going a goal down early on to the hosts who were more than up for the occasion. Valley's quality shone through in the end as goals from Warren, Dickens and Moss sealed the victory and the shield for the seventh year running.

The hosts started the game at breakneck speed looking to unsettle the visitors early on and dominated the opening 20 minutes. Adam Blackburn was always the ball as the Taverners looked to use the wide mans pace at every opportunity. Blackburn did have the ball in the net on 10 minutes but Robin Metcalfe's flag was flying high to deny the pacey winger. The Valley did look dangerous on the counter with the pace of Warren and Jackson down the wings and front duo of Moss and Dickens linking well you always knew the goals would come eventually. It was the Taverners who took the lead on 20 minutes as Pete Johnson found room 8 yards out to fire high past Crespin giving the keeper no chance. The Valley now responded and started looking a threat and won a penalty within 5 minutes of the goal as Warren was hauled to the turf in full flight by Kyle Brown who was lucky to stay on the pitch. Jonathon Dickens took the responsibility from the spot but keeper Joe Steeples pulled off a superb save to deny the hit man. The Valley did justly equalise within minutes as Chris Graham played a long raking ball for Oli Warren to chase, Warren turned on the afterburners and left Vize in his wake to chip the ball over the advancing Steeples for a deserved goal. Valley had the ball in the net again just before the break as a Jace Broome corner was met by Alex Cairns who powered the ball home but referee Pete Selby saw a push and disallowed the goal.

The second half was all about the Valley as they dominated possession throughout the half as the goals threatened to come thick and fast but it took until the hour mark for the second to arrive, Jonathon Dickens made amends for his penalty miss tapping home from 2 yards after excellent work from Colin Moss as he beat Brown with ease to fire the ball across goal for the grateful Dickens to do the rest. The home side gambled and through Damien Wray forward and played 3 at the back which left big holes for Warren and Grindey to exploit with their pace. The Valley back line stood firm to the constant high balls into the box; Captain John Batteson and Ant Hunter were outstanding throughout and dealt with everything thrown at them with ease. Mike Grindey had chance to pull the trigger from 18 yards but took to much time over his shot giving Mirams chances to block the shot. With 8 minutes to play the game was finally put to bed as the lively Grindey fed Colin Moss, The Tideswell front man turned inside three defenders before firing into the bottom corner giving Steeples no chance. The game came to an end with the Valley worthy winners on another great occasion for Ged Merrick and his Family. Taverners League's Kyle Brown picked up the Man of the Match award selected by Ged and his family.