Knaresborough win NCEL League Cup after penalty shootout

Match and celebration Photos are HERE
Triumphant manager Brian Davey paid tribute to his heroic goalkeeper Weston Murau after Knaresborough Town’s penalty shootout Toolstation NCEL League Cup final victory over Eccleshill United, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
After the sides could not be separated at 2-2 at the close of extra time, Knaresborough took home the trophy by holding their nerve to win 4-2 on spot kicks at the Coral Windows Stadium, home of Bradford City.
Zimbabwe-born Murau, whose path to being Knaresborough’s number goalkeeper could be described as accidental, made a string of fine saves and even saved a penalty from Eccleshill’s 40-plus goal machine Marcus Edwards of all people in the shootout.
The cup final win is Knaresborough’s first piece of silverware as an NCEL club and Davey said: “Weston was fantastic.
“He came to the club with his brother (a year ago) and originally I wasn’t sure who he was. The reserves were short of a goalkeeper so he played for them one day.
“Our goalkeeper has had two operations so Weston has come in and got better and better. He was outstanding today. He made three or four outstanding saves.
“He’s only a small ‘keeper, but what he lacks in height, he makes up with his ability. Without a doubt he deserved the man of the match.”

Knaresborough were quick out of the blocks and deservedly took the lead through former Manchester United reserve team player Colin Heath.
Eccleshill responded and were leading 2-1 at the break after captain Jermaine Springer and you guessed it, Edwards, scored.
Heath added his second straight after half-time and both teams had chances before the game was brought to a close after 120 exciting minutes and Davey added: “We knew Eccleshill were a good side and were very fit, but we had always done well against Eccleshill.
“The idea we had was to get straight at them and get in their faces and make it hard for them. We scored the first goal and could have had a couple more, but we let them into the game.
“I think we could have won it before the penalties. Most of their chances came from free kicks from the edge of the box and I thought that was the only way they were going to score.
“We had a couple of chances, but a draw was probably fair on the day.”

Eccleshill had been hoping to complete the double. Lee Duxbury’s side won the West Riding County Cup last month following a shock win over Harrogate Town at the same venue.
Duxbury was a frustrated figure on the side-lines as a hip operation yesterday left him on crutches and seated for the occasion with assistant Chris Reape doing the shouting on the touchline.
Davey’s master-plan worked from the outset. Eccleshill may like to pass the ball about, but goalkeeper Ryan Smith and his defenders were living dangerously early on as they were closed down on every occasion.
The pressure was mounting and Blaine Hobson’s run down the left-wing ended with a cross for Heath to finish from close range.

The goal, however, spurred Eccleshill on and Murau was soon called to action. He denied Connor Shefte and Doug Stevenson before the equaliser. A corner led to a scramble and Springer seemed to get the final touch to bring Eccleshill level.
Within four minutes, Eccleshill were ahead. A deep free kick found Eccleshill’s Texan defender Tyler Tarango at the back-post. He headed the ball back across goal and Edwards was on hand to nod the ball home.
There were tensions at times and plenty of yellow cards, but the final was a great advertisement for the NCEL.

Both sides continued to have chances before half-time and the scores were soon level again as the second half began. Heath, who has been a leader for Knaresborough this season, found the net with a header and from there forward, the North Yorkshire-based side looked more likely to score.
Heath almost sealed his hat-trick, but last-ditch defending from Tarango saved Eccleshill, who finished the game strongly. The final few minutes of normal time saw Marau, who won a lot of plaudits in the 2-2 draw with Shaw Lane last week, earn his man of the match.
Edwards’ free kick was sailing into the top corner until Marau somehow leaped to tip the ball over the crossbar and that concluded the 90 minutes.
Davey introduced former Leeds United player Seb Carole and he was a threat for Knaresborough in the next 30 minutes. Edwards had the best opportunity of extra-time after he outpaced Knaresborough skipper Matt Duerden, but Marau rescued the situation and ensured the scores remained level.

So to penalties it went. Experienced Carole put Knaresborough ahead before Edwards incredibly saw his attempt saved.
Dave Thomas hit the post which allowed Ryan Jones to level for Eccleshill. Jim Bradley restored Knaresborough’s lead and the trophy was in sight when Charlie Flaherty put his effort well wide.

Danny Wright put them one step nearer before Shefte kept Eccleshill’s hopes alive. But, it was left for Byron Littlefair to win the cup.
Littlefair ran straight to Murau after sending Eccleshill goalkeeper Smith the wrong way to complete a fine season for Knaresborough and Davey added: “It (winning the League Cup) is fantastic for the club and a great achievement to come here and play at facilities like this.
“At the start of the year we were in our second season in this league and we had to play every League Cup game away from home and let one goal until the final.
“And then to beat a team like Eccleshill, who beat Harrogate Town in the West Riding County Cup, just shows how far we have come on this year.
“We have a great spirit and it was fantastic the amount of support we had today.”

Eccleshill United: Smith, Mills, Tarango, Springer (captain), Jones, Newell, Sanchez (Harbach 74), Stevenson, Edwards, Shefte, Flaherty. Subs unused: Roslund, Man, Le Casse.
Knaresborough Town: Murau, Stansfield (Thomas 65), Radcliffe, Duerden (captain), Lenehan, Bradley, Eustance (Carole 90), Wilson, Heath (Wright 80), Hobson, Littlefair. Subs unused: Gray, Osborne.
Referee: J Knowles (West Yorkshire)
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 390
Man of the match: Weston Murau (Knaresborough Town)