Bitter disappointment as sloppy mistakes cost Shotley Rose dear in cup final

By Derek Davis 25th Apr 2022

A roller coaster season ended in bitter defeat for the Shotley Rose as they were beaten 4-2 in their Sunday League Junior Cup final against Claydon at Whitton.

A hat-trick of howlers cost the Rose dear after they let slip a 2-1 half-time lead.

Ben Grogan levelled from the penalty spot after the Rose went down to an early Curtis Smith goal.

Tommy Smith put Shotley ahead (Picture credit: Peninsula Nub News)

Tommy Smith, who had won the penalty, then finished sharply seconds before the break and green-shirted Shotley started the second half strongly.

Harry Tilbury, Ryan Scutcher and Smith caused the Claydon side problems but could not find the killer blow, in front of a good travelling contingent.

Instead, Claydon, who are chasing a league and cup triple, capitalised on two more mistakes from keeper Joel Glover and Claydon romped ahead through Daniel Gibson and Anthony Fryatt with Curtis Smith snatching a second for himself.

Keeper Joel Glover had bad day (Picture credit: Peninsula Nub News)

It was hard to take for the Rose and player-manager Ryan Scutcher summed it up: "I'm totally gutted to be honest, especially as we had the lead.

"There were a couple of sloppy mistakes. which can happen.

"Even when we went behind we were able to get ahead 2-1 but against better teams like Claydon you can't make sloppy mistakes because they will punish you.

"Even so, we had a good squad, and we gave Claydon a real game. Considering they have not lost in six months we pushed them hard especially in the first half. When were 2-1 up I really felt we could go on and win."

Shotley Rose enjoyed good support (Picture credit: Peninsula Nub News)

Scutcher refused to point fingers after the painful and praised the squad's collective effort in reaching the final.

"It was one of those things," said Scutcher. "Anyone can make a mistake but when it is the keeper it is really obvious and it hurts.

"Joel has been good for us this season, it was one of those things.

"We will regroup and go again. Fingers crossed, going forward next season we will cut out those mistakes."

Sporting Shotley formed a guard of honour as Claydon collected the cup, a week after clinching the third division title and now look to complete their treble in the County Cup final against Bacton next Sunday.