BODIE'S BRACE GIVES CELT THE CUP

Bodie Carter scored twice as Celt Rangers avenged last year's Primary cup final disappointment, beating Gayton United Rerserves 5-2 at the FDC's Field of Dreams. 

Gayton United started the better and took the lead early on via Ateko Opaluwa, however Rangers reacted well and set the scores level when Chad Pillar rose high at the back post to head home. 

The east coast outfit seized control of the game thereafter and Pillar then set up Carter for his first, followed by Rorie Burnett adding to the tally. 

On the stroke of half time United put some doubts back into the minds of the Celt players and fans when Opaluwa finished well to reduce the deficit to 3-2, however early in the second half Carter got his second of the night ensure Rangers regained control of the game. 

In the final minutes a through ball found its way to Adam Thompson and the Celt number 9 made no mistake with his finish to make it 5-2. 

The early stages of the game saw Gayton look the more positive of the two teams, passing with confidence and playing at a good tempo. An early free kick for the home side on the night was well held by Celt keeper Joe Bracewell.

Their start became even better when on the 8th minute Opaluwa made a fantastic run and a defense splitting pass found him ahead of the Celt back line. Despite a last ditch attempt from centre back Lewis Smith, the ball found its way into the net putting the 

Being behind early on seemed to awaken the Celt players who became fired up for the occasion. The game became more scrappy and multiple fouls put a stop to Gayton's passing game, with Burnett eventually going into the Referee's book after a rash challenge to calm things down.

Rangers worked hard in the middle of the park to gain momentum and almost got the equaliser when a long ball was met perfectly by Thompson for a flick on to Pillar, but his strike partner blazed his shot over from inside the area. Two minutes later good play down the left flank saw a cross met once again by Pillar, but once again he cleared the bar. 

Celt and Pillar eventually found the back of the net on the 30 minute mark as the forward met a long free kick at the back post and headed over the goalkeeper who was caught in two minds about coming out to compete, putting the scores level at 1-1. 

Getting a reward for their pressure galvanised the Celt players, increasing the tempo of the game further. The game was flipped on its head only 5 minutes later when Pillar turned provider to set up Carter who struck a fizzer down to the right of Ben Griffin in the Gayton goal. The keeper made the save but couldn't hold the shot and could only look on as it spun from his grasp into the bottom left corner. 

Now in control of the game, Celt extended their lead further on 40 minutes after some good play saw Burnett released to the right of the area, who took a touch and rifled his shot across the helpless Griffen and into the bottom left corner. 

With Celt looking in complete control, the game took another turn on the stroke of half time when United's Patrick Barrett played a great long ball through to Opaluwa who chested down on the move, drove forward and finished well into the top corner to make it 3-2 at the half. 

The second half started at a much slower tempo with neither team looking to risk anything early on and neither side creating much in the way of chances. 

Celt gave themselves breathing space once again through Carter on 55 minutes when the ball was played into him from the right and he struck a fierce shot which took a wicked deflection, looping it over the stranded Griffen once again and making the score 4-2.

Gayton tried to create attacking opportunities as the half carried on, however allowing Celt to then play on the counter. Gayton's Chris Smith made a fantastic covering challenge to stop Thompson who was in a great position to add to the Rangers' tally. Opaluwa spent more of the game of the left flank, but despite his best efforts United could not create any real chances of quality to get back into the game which had once again turned scrappy. 

With time running out, Harry Cuncliffe and Graham Moss combined well to create a good opportunity for Richard Cluncliffe, however the Gayton substitute, with the goal in clear sight, fired over. 

The game was sealed once and for all moments before the final whistle when Carter played a fantastic through ball between the United defence. Despite some confusion with an offside player, an onside Thompson ran through and finished exquisitely into the top right corner to end the game in style. After a brief conversation with the Assistant, the Referee awarded the goal which saw Celt go 5-2 ahead.

A disheartened Gayton kept going through stoppage time, however Celt Rangers avenged last year's defeat to United and became the 2019 Norfolk Primary Cup Winners.

Final Score: Gayton United Reserves 2 – 5 Celt Rangers

PHOTOS - A full photo album of this fixture can be found here: 

Line ups:

Gayton United Reserves:Ben Griffen, Patrick Barrett, Toby Rust, Martin Gibbs (C), Harry Cuncliffe, Robby Pereia, James Rix, Graham Moss, Curtis Senter, Ateko Opaluwa & Olly Parker. 

Subs: Richard Cuncliffe, Steve Pearson, Michael Rix, Nick Brennock, Chris Smith.

Celt Rangers:Joe Bracewell, Kray Cross, Liam Beales, Lewis Smith, Aaron Bowers (C), Chad Pillar, Rhys Butler, Adam Thompson, Bodie Carter, Rorie Burnett & Hayden Ingram.

Subs: Liam Fuller, Aaron Hogg, Jak Hume, James Hogbin, Darren Beckett.

Referee: Ashley Tyne
Assistants: Louis Lofts & Matthew Friend
Fourth Official: Allen Clark
Attendance: 175
Player of the Match: Bodie Carter