Bunting-Jones the hero as Rossendale win Richardson Cup on nervy night

>>> See Steve Taylor's full match gallery HERE

Scott Wylie’s side won a tense penalty shootout, with Luke Simpson tucking away the crucial spot kick.

Both goals in the 90 minutes came in the first half and it was Blackpool Wren Rovers who went in front through Luke Harris, before Adam McInnes levelled things up.

Wren Rovers began the game positively and threatened a couple of times early on, with Jackson Bateman finding Harris, who fired just wide on 10 minutes.

It was Harris who opened the scoring five minutes later: Djay Dela Cruz won the ball back high up the pitch, a trope of the game early on, and found the number seven through the middle.

Harris took a touch and then fired a rocket into the top left corner to give Wren Rovers the lead.

Rossendale grew into the game as the half progressed, and were rewarded for doing so, bringing themselves level on 34 minutes.

They were causing issues from dead ball situations and that’s exactly how they found the leveller: Joe Haworth sent in a corner from the right and Adam McInnes rose highest, his bullet header finding the net.

It was Rossendale who pushed for a second before the half time whistle blew, with Oliver Williams and Haworth going close from distance.

After the break, Jackson Bateman continued to be a handful on the left hand side: he got himself goal side before firing just off target, eight minutes into the second half.

Harry Bunting Jones produced a fine stop to deny Harris his and Wren Rovers’ second just after the hour mark: the number seven ran onto a long ball from the right and shot low, aiming for the bottom corner, but a strong hand from ‘Rossy’’s number one kept it out.

Will Foster was central to many of Rossendale’s opportunities in the second half.

On 71 minutes, he won the ball back down the right hand and charged down the flank with electrifying pace, before cutting inside and taking a shot on but it flew just over the bar.

Six minutes later, he opted to lay the ball off to sub Rico Pembele despite having a good sight of goal himself, and Pembele could only find the side netting - that was after Dela Cruz’s free kick at the other end grazed the crossbar.

The final few minutes saw a couple of half chances for both sides but the clock ran down to full time and, with the score at 1-1, it was straight to penalties.

Blackpool Wren Rovers went first but their opening spot kick was saved by Bunting Jones, after which Rossendale converted their first, and the following three for both sides found the net.

Luke Simpson scored his side’s fourth which meant Wren Rovers had to score to keep themselves in it, but another fine stop from Bunting Jones clinched the shootout win for Rossendale and thus the Richardson Cup.

Rossendale manager Scott Wylie said after the game: “It’s nice to win another cup, it’s been a bit of a mixed season with losing some players and things like that so it’s been a really nice way to round it off."

He continued: “It was a tough game, very even and it probably could’ve gone either way, it’s not nice to lose on penalties but it’s a great way for us to get our second Richardson Cup.”

Blackpool Wren Rovers manager Henry Wright said: “I felt we definitely had the better chances and if a team deserved to win it it was us.

“This squad is so young and talented if they stick together they will go again and have their moment. We couldn’t be prouder of the players, they have been superb these last 9 games, they’re unbeaten.

“Congratulations to Rossendale who are always tough opponents and effective at what they do.”

West Lancashire League chairman Andy Hosker said: “It’s been a great final, I was asked before the game who were the favourites and I couldn’t have told you. Both teams have played well on a 3G pitch.”

He added: “The Richardson Cup is our main cup and the change in format (putting Premier & Division One & two sides in) a few seasons ago has gone down really well.”

Andy thanked Euxton Villa for hosting the final: “I’ve worked with Euxton Villa for years, they’re a great club, they do a lot for the West Lancs.

“Their facilities are first class and it’s been marvellous to work with them.

“Congratulations to their first team for getting promoted from NWCFL North to NWCFL Premier Division.”