Kirkley's dream of an amazing treble is still very much alive as they beat local rivals Bungay Town in a topsy-turvy match at Beccles Town Football Club on Sunday afternoon.
The match itself saw Kirkley get off to a terrible start when Gary Love fired past Jenner with only two minutes gone. Kirkley response was quick and Darryl Hill outpaced Kevin Supple to fire home with a cool finish and soon Kirkley were celebrating again when Ian Wilson brilliantly fired home from a corner. Simon Hall had a header brilliantly saved by Bartram as Kirkley ended the half well on top. Bungay improved after the break with Kevin Goldsmith and Ian Sadd more prominent.
With twenty minutes remaining Darryl Hill made it 3-1 to Kirkley with a brilliant header from Player/Manager Jon Sturman's corner. The game though suddenly changed and following an injury stoppage Kirkley seemed to switch off and Michael Earrye raced through down the right and fired home past John Jenner. Bungay heads were now up and panic began to set in as the experienced Mick Money was allowed time and space in the box as he fired home precisely to make the scores level with still 12 minutes remaining.
Kirkley never know when they are beaten and with three minutes remaining Simon Hall beat his man down the right and pulled the ball back for Freddie Cable to plant a header in the corner of the net and win the Suffolk cup for Kirkley in an entertaining match that was played in great spirits and was a credit to Veterans Football.
Kirkley and Pakefield Veterans 4 vs. Bungay Town Veterans 3
Kirkley & Pakefield Veterans Squad:
John Jenner Stuart Dockeree, Peter Holland, Darren Boyd, Stuart Canham, Freddie Cable, Simon Hall, David Burrows, Jon Sturman, Ian Wilson, Darryl Hill, George Millington, Paul Taylor Dave Doddington and Steve Canham.
There was no particular 'Man of the Match' with every member of the team contributing towards the victory!
Kirkley's amazing run in Veterans Football has now seen them go a full two years unbeaten and require just 1 more point from their final two fixtures to be Premier Division Champions. The third leg of the historic treble will come if they can beat Melton YCOB in the final of the League Cup on Friday 8th May at Diss Town FC.
Players who have played a major part in the story who missed out on the Final through injuries and work include Gary Tuttle, Gary Boyd, Paul Wigg, Michael Tacon and Phil Goldsmith. One bit of sad news to end with as George Millington will miss the last remaining games after a scan has shown he has broken his ankle during the game.
Match Report contributed by Kirkley & Pakefield Veterans FC