Another final for creative United (From Free Press Series)

Another final for creative United

SKENFRITH are in their fifth cup final in five years.

The tiny village side kept up their amazing cup record with a comfortable 2-0 win against Howle Hill on Saturday. And with a place in the final of the HFA Cup still up for grabs it's easy to see why fans are quietly whispering the word "double" . Defender Nick Oxford underlined the importance of the win. "We didn't want the season to peter out. The league is really done and dusted now. We've had a solid enough campaign, but nothing more so that is why it was vital we got into the final.

"We now have everything to play for. There's silverware there to win and things are looking very bright," he enthused.

After a goaless first half despite several clear chances on goal, the rub of the green didn't look like it was going to go United's way.

"It was the same old story again - we were lacking a striker," said Oxford. "That early goal would have settled the side, but we were missing all these chances and I was thinking to myself it's never going to happen."

Dynamic midfielder David Ellias hit the bar twice, while Oxford and right wing Anthony Whigmore supplied the ammunition to the front-line, making the right hand side of play their own.

"We were totally dominating them down that flank," said Oxford. "By the second half though they realised this and changed their style to block me out. We still had the upper hand on them elsewhere though and finally got the goals we deserved."

Richard Harry nailed the first, while the experienced Dave Tynon slotted home the second late on for a thoroughly deserved win.

Oxford praised United's gallant midfield saying they had done well in the absence of a front man.

"As a club we're blessed with some outstanding midfielders. Players like Richard Harry, Andrew Morris and Steve Phipps do the business week in and week out.

"They create so many chances and it's just a shame we haven't got that out-and-out striker to pop them home. We do need that selfish player up front to take the chances," he said.

United will face either fellow Second Division side Mariots or Third Division Western in May's final. Oxford admitted he'd prefer Western, but added the club will fancy their chances against either side.

This weekend the club faces its toughest cup challenge of the season so far - an awesome quarter-final battle in the HFA Cup at home to First Division champions elect Pencombe.

"It's going to be a tremendous game. They might by top of the First Division, but that won't deter us, in fact it may work for us. We do better against sides that like to pass the ball like us and we certainly won't be running scared from them," insisted Oxford.

United boast a good record against Pencombe in the cup, winning two season ago, with just ten men on the field, thanks to a Dave Byrom goal. Last season they lost 4-3 in extra time at the same stage of the competition.

Saturday's match kicks off at 2pm.