Stand avenge last year's Kenyon Cup defeat (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Stand avenge last year's Kenyon Cup defeat

4:51pm Wednesday 29th April 2009

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STAND Athletic landed the Myles Kenyon Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout with holders Little Lever SC at Gigg Lane.

The score was 0-0 at full-time after Latics goalkeeper and man-of-the-match Tommy Allen carried out a string of fine saves to prevent the Lancashire Amatuer League Premier Division side from taking the lead.

The men from the First Division of the Manchester League lifted the trophy — their first since they were crowned Manchester League champions in 1999 — thanks to striker Ashley Hoolighan’s spot-kick which made it 4-3.

The final was a repeat of last year’s showdown, which Little Lever won on penalties.

The coveted competition among local amateur teams has been played since 1922 when local businessman and former Lancashire Cricketer Myles Kenyon donated the trophy.

Stand, who were evicted from their ground at The Elms in Whitefield before the start of the season, do not even know if they will have pitch to play on next season.

They have been playing at Agecroft Farm in Salford but are on course to finish in the top half of the league.

Assistant manager Dean Royle said: “It’s been a long, hard season, but it was fantastic to win the trophy.

“Tommy was magnificent in goal, although a draw was probably a fair result after 90 minutes.”

And he revealed the future of the club is still in the balance as they are still unsure whether they wil continue to play at Agecroft next year.

“At one stage, we thought the club would fold,” he said. “It’s the age-old problem with amateur football, getting people to do things in their spare time and keep the club going.

“Then there are the finances. In one match this season, with all the yellow cards and paying the referee and the linesmen, it cost us more than £100 to play a match, which is unbelievable really.”

Stand visit Walkden side Fives Athletic for their final game of the season a week on Saturday.

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