Blackburn Combination Cotton Cup final Rishton Res 5 Belthorn Dog Inn 1

8:21pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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RAMPANT Rishton turned in a five star first half performance then held off a dogged fightback from the Belthorn boys.

Everything went right for Rishton in the opening 45 minutes as they netted five times - while it all went horribly wrong for a young Dog Inn side.

Two goals apiece from Rob Garvin and Mark Baron and a thumping free kick from Ashley Hall from the halfway line, effectively won the cup for Rishton by the break.

All Dog Inn had to play for was pride but they finished the game with their heads held high - with only Ryan Steele's goal to show for their second half dominance.

Hall gave Rishton a dramatic early lead when his long-range free kick caught Dog keeper Nick Luker off-guard and looped into the goal.

Belthorn had plenty of possession early on, but while Steele and Simon Hodgkiss buzzed about up front, they never tested Matt Cookson in the Rishton goal.

Significantly, Rishton doubled their lead in their next meaningful attack.

Hall floated a wonderful pass out to Garvin on the right, who showed tremendous pace and power to get to the by-line, but his cross was deflected behind by Tom Langley.

But from the resulting corner, Mark Baron's close range header from Sean Hoyle's centre was adjudged to have crossed the line.

Number three soon followed when Rob Walsh headed Baron's cross into the path of Garvin who bundled the ball home from inside the six yard area.

In reply, Dog Inn were restricted to pot-shots from Toby Hodgkiss and Steele - who also hit the side-netting - while a Langley header tested Cookson for the first time.

But Rishton virtually made sure of victory with the goal of the game.

Long-throw specialist Ian Holden picked out Jason Rippingdale in the centre circle who went in where it hurts to stoop and head the ball on to Garvin.

The flying winger controlled, spun and drilled the ball home in an instance to put the game beyond Dog Inn.

Rishton didn't want the half to end as everything they touched turned to goals - Baron adding number five but only after his air shot' had dumped Luker on his backside before converting at the second attempt.

Dog Inn could easily have thrown the towel in at the break but they came out for the second half determined to give it a go.

And the response was immediate, Steele prodding home Lou Yates' excellent through ball only to be ruled out for offside.

Steele, who was becoming more and more of a handful, then drilled a free kick into the wall before he finally got the goal his hard work deserved.

Craig Steele, one of the few old heads' in the Dog Inn team, floated a free kick in to the area and the younger Steele slid the ball home.

Dog skipper, Aidy Hindle, headed wide before Steele and Simon Hodgkiss combined to release Matt Hodgiss who fired wide.

Dog Inn threw on Josh Banks who added another dimension up front - not to mention a long-throw specialist of their own.

He linked up well with Hodgkiss who drilled a shot just over while Toby Hodgkiss went even closer, with his cross from the right cracking against the bar.

Belthorn ended the half as they started it - on the attack, as Toby Hodgkiss and Banks exchanged passes with the former drilling a shot just wide.

It was a spirited fightback by Dog Inn but, in truth, Rishton had the cup won by the break.