10-men Tewkesbury clinch Reg Davis Cup with stunning comeback over Tredworth turning lights out on terrific tournament
10-men Tewkesbury Town produced a stunning comeback to lift their first Reg Davis Memorial Cup defeating Tredworth Tigers 3-2 at the Ben’s Takeaway Stadium on Wednesday night, writes Sam Yapp.
Tewkesbury overturned a 2-0 deficit to extend their impressive form to just a single defeat in their last 20 games thanks to an inspired second half performance and a brace from top scorer Alex Roder.
Against the run of play, Tredworth got themselves ahead on 15 minutes when a neat through ball found Brett Blake inside the area who made no mistakes firing low.
Things went from bad to worse for Tewkesbury as straight from kick off Nick Hill saw red for a late challenge right before a seven minute delay hit the game due the floodlights going out.
With the lights back on, Tredworth doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Brett got free in the area to poke an effort straight at Parry, but Ryley Mace was on hand to fire home the rebound.
Before the final, Tewkesbury had only conceded one goal in this season’s Reg Davis Cup and had now conceded two in the first half of the biggest game.
But Town got themselves back in the game right on the break when a ball dropped kindly for Nathan Newland-Gallaway to volley home from 12-yards.
Both sides came out early for the second half, with Tredworth nearly extending their lead soon after the restart – but Kedada Russell’s effort was saved well by Tewkesbury keeper, Isaac Parry.
Tewkesbury deservedly got themselves level on 66 minutes when Alex Roder turned home a low cross off the post from inside the six-yard box.
And the unbelievable turnaround was achieved on 82 minutes when Roder bundled an effort over the line after forcing Evan Coombs into a fine save, sending the Tewkesbury team into ecstasy.
Tredworth suffered a second successive Reg Davis final defeat after also losing last season’s final 2-1 to Brockworth Albion.
It’s back to league action for both sides on Saturday as Tewkesbury travel to Lydney Town Reserves as they look to extend their perfect start to their league campaign, whilst Tredworth’s search for a first win since Lee Smith and Adam Dix left continues at Charfield.
Tredworth Tigers- Coombs (GK), Whereat (Cunningham 54’), Oliver, Gallen, Russell, Phillips (Weir 84’), Johnson, Barney (James 54’), Warrington, Mace, Blake (Blair 60’).
Bench- Manners
Tewkesbury Town- Parry (GK), Banfield (Stanley 60’), Anderson, Hill, Hoskings, Spark, Llewellyn ©, Sheehan, Roder, Goodwin (Barlow 70’), Newland-Gallaway (Jordan 55’)
Bench- Jordan, Keen, Nicholls
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Scott Jordan (Tewkesbury Town)
Cover photo courtesy of Tewkesbury Town FC
READ MORE: Check out the list of fixtures in and around Gloucestershire this Saturday right here
