The ChromaSport Peterborough League’s Jack Hogg Shield was shared on Friday night as Moulton Harrox earned a 1-1 draw with Premier Division rivals Whittlesey Athletic.
In what was new boss Dave Panton’s first competitive game in charge of Harrox, Billy King was handed the captain’s armband following Phil Groves’ decision to step down as skipper.
Midfield maestro King missed a great chance to mark the ocassion with an early goal from the penalty spot, but he uncharacteristically dragged his effort wide at the Branch Bros Arena.
Panton’s side did go ahead on 31 minutes, however, with Lee Bradbury superbly heading into the top corner.
Harrox paid the price their penalty miss in the second period though, with Adam Piergianni rifling home a 25-yard stunner to level the scores. That’s how it stayed up until the final whistle, meaning the Shield was shared for only the third time in 25 years.
Panton said: “On the whole a draw was a fair result.
“It was a really good and competitive match – ideal just before the league starts.
“Regarding the captaincy, there was clearly a few candidates within the squad and I think they all would have done a great job.
“But, after talking it over with Paul Crowson, we decided Billy was the best person to take the team forward over the next few seasons. The team gave Billy a great reception with a round of applause.”
As expected, the clash was competitive from the off. Harrox were indebted to a top early stop from keeper Lee Kenealy, while at the other end the lively Ben Allen forced three saves from Lewis Moat after probing runs.
Moulton really should have gone ahead when Ryan Wheeler was fouled in the box just past the 20-minute mark, but captain King mis-kicked his effort and it rolled wide.
Keeper Moat could do nothing about Moulton’s opener, though, as Bradbury met Joe Townsend’s cross and nodded superbly into the top corner.
Allen then hit the woodwork as Harrox searched for a second, before Bradbury also saw a strike saved by the excellent Moat.
Moulton passed the ball well after the break and looked largely the better side.
But Piergianni’s stunning bolt from the blue 15 minutes from time denied them a deserved victory.
Instead, they’ll have to make do with holding the Shield for just the six months.
Harrox: Kenealy, Groves, Johnson, Patterson, Coddington, Cawthorne (Ball), King, Townsend, Allen (Cardell), Wheeler, Bradbury (Steadman). Not used: Bailey-Smith.
