Spot-on Highfield make it a dream double

HIGHFIELD UTD...1

AVRO...1

(Highfield won 5-4 on pens)

HIGHFIELD United, the footballing pride of Bury are at it again!

No sooner had they tasted success last season by gaining status in the Manchester League, they pinned their colours to the mast this season by achieving an impressive double.

The home of Manchester Premier side, Springhead, was the venue of this year's final, where a jubilant Highfield side went head to head with Avro.

Jubilant in the sense of that, but only three days prior to the final, the Bury side had been confirmed runners-up in the first division league campaign, whereby their home ground -- Seedfield Sports Centre -- will host Manchester Premier League football next season for the first time in its history.

Manager Marcus Gunning, ably assisted by coaches Mick Sawdon and Lol McMahon, could take immense pleasure in knowing that their side's league campaign had come to a successful conclusion, freeing them to concentrate on their plan of attack for the final.

"It never rains but it pours", just about summed up the weather on the day. Torrential rain throughout the initial 90 minutes created a pitch built for sliding tackles and dubious bookings that followed.

Add to that a swirling wind and you get the picture. Both sides tried hard to carve out a clear goal scoring opportunity but to no avail, the score being 0-0 at the end of the first half.

As both sides took to the field for the second half showing no sign of changes to their line-ups, neither spectators nor players could have envisaged what was to follow.

Within 15 minutes of the start of the second period, Highfield made a change to their mid-field by replacing hard-working Stubbs with Roberts, and Ingham replaced the out of luck Chadwick up front.

On the hour mark, the deadlock was broken by Highfield when Stott collected the ball deep inside Avro's half and ran directly at their defence.

On reaching inside Avro's penalty area, he was met by a lunging tackle. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, and up stepped the ever-dependable Ingham to slot the ball past the Avro 'keeper.

Immediate after the goal celebrations, an altercation involving Avro's left back, the linesman and a member of the crowd, escalated into a 21-man argument, Highfield's 'keeper Carmen being the only one not involved.

When the dust had settled and order restored, the referee took the decision to send off Avro's left back and their 'keeper!

With 10 minutes left, Avro's only option was to concentrate on keeping their remaining nine men behind the ball and spasmodically hitting on the break.

Their ploy worked and, with only 50 seconds of normal time remaining, Avro worked a move which involved the ball being held up close to Highfield's corner flag.

A rush of blood from Highfield's sweeper Trofimczuk -- who had given a faultless performance throughout the game -- saw him sythe down an Avro forward.

With the clock ticking, the free kick was despatched into Highfield's six-yard box.

Among a melee of players, it was Avro who were the first to react, directing the ball past Carmen's near post. No sooner had the referee blown to signal the re-start than he blew louder to bring this epic 90 minutes to a close.

Extra time beckoned, and as both managers and coaching staff rallied their troops, one last mighty effort was called for.

Highfield should have had the upper hand in this period, having 10 outfield players to call on, but they couldn't find a way to break down the stubborn nine-man Avro side who were using every ploy in the book to see out this extra time period. Their brief was to take the game to penalties and they succeeded.

A final at any level is tense, but when both sides are grid-locked throughout the 120 minutes, cruel as it may be the only solution to separate them is penalties.

Avro, having taken eight penalties had converted only four of them. Highfield matched them. If there is such a thing as "extra sudden death", it was just around the corner. Avro's ninth penalty was missed and it was down to Highfield's Bailey, who held his nerve and converted the spot kick and in so doing, started the Highfield victory celebrations.

Highfield were then presented with the Murray Shield by the Manchester League management, and also, in acknowledgement of their second place success in division one, with the runners-up cup silverware.

With the club's season now drawn to a successful conclusion, off the field activities start in earnest.

Ground maintenance has started at their Seedfield Road Sports Centre ground, and anyone willing to volunteer to lend a hand with this work will be truly welcome.

Please contact Marcus Gunning (07990 523918), Mick Sawdon (07703 262791) or Lol McMahon (07799 344367).

There is still the opportunity for any individual or company who wish to sponsor Highfield United FC for the 2003/4 season.

The club runs a first team and a reserve team. Any help or assistance in this area will be welcomed. Anyone interested can contact the personnel mentioned above.