Category: Frank Curry Memorial Cup

Semi-Final Showdowns: Late Drama and Shootout Nerves Light Up the Cup!

The Frank Curry Memorial Cup served up plenty of drama on Saturday 3rd May, with both semi-finals delivering goals, comebacks, and no shortage of tension. As teams battled for a place in the final, fans were treated to thrilling encounters that went right down to the wire.

Frank Curry Memorial Cup Semi Finals

Marsh United Reserves 3-3 (HT 0-1, PENS 1-4) Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
It was a pulsating cup semi-final between Marsh United Reserves and Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves, ending 3-3 after normal time before S&A clinched it in the shootout. Jamie McCormack gave S&A an early lead on 21 minutes with his first of the season, nodding home from Sean Doran’s pinpoint free kick. After the break, Marsh responded as Connor Wallis pounced on a loose ball following a save to level on 52 minutes. S&A regained the lead through Jack Benson’s unstoppable free-kick just after the hour mark, but Tom Wright’s double—first on 71 minutes and again on 78—turned the tie back in Marsh’s favour. However, Alf Askew’s late strike in the 83rd minute ensured the game went to penalties.

In the shootout, it was Southport & Ainsdale who held their nerve, converting four spot-kicks to Marsh’s single reply to book their place in the final. It was heartbreak for Marsh after such a spirited comeback, but credit to S&A for showing resilience throughout the contest and delivering when it mattered most from the spot.

New Longton Rovers 4-2 (HT 1-1) AFC Ainsdale Reserves
New Longton Rovers powered their way into the final with a commanding 4-2 win over AFC Ainsdale Reserves. It was Liam Mackie who struck first for Ainsdale on 15 minutes, but Joseph Richardson pulled Rovers level just before the break with a clinical finish. The second half belonged to Rovers, and Richardson wasted no time adding his second of the game on 55 minutes to turn the tie around.

An own goal on 68 minutes extended the Rovers’ lead before Richardson completed his hat-trick with another well-taken strike on 74 minutes, making it 4-1. Mackie did manage a late consolation for Ainsdale with his second on 76 minutes, but it was too little too late as New Longton booked their spot in the final with an impressive attacking display.

Frank Curry Memorial Cup: Group Stages Complete, Semi-Finalists Confirmed

After an exciting and competitive group stage, the Frank Curry Memorial Cup has now reached its semi-final phase. The action across all three groups has provided plenty of drama, goals, and standout performances, setting up a mouth-watering finale to this year’s competition.

Final Group Standings

Group A saw Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves dominate, finishing unbeaten with two wins and a draw, scoring 13 goals along the way. They topped the group on 7 points, closely followed by AFC Ainsdale Reserves on 6 points, who also impressed with 11 goals from their three matches.

Group B was controlled by New Longton Rovers, who stormed through with a perfect record — three wins from three and a staggering +15 goal difference after finding the net 19 times. Sir Tom Finney secured second place, but with only four points, it wasn’t enough to guarantee a semi-final spot.

In a much tighter Group C, Marsh United Reserves claimed top spot with seven points, edging out their first team counterparts, Marsh United, who finished just behind on five points after three hard-fought matches.

Castle FC sadly exited the competition without managing a goal or point, but showed great spirit throughout their games.

Semi-Finalists Confirmed

The teams progressing to the semi-finals are:

  • Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves (Group A Winners)
  • New Longton Rovers (Group B Winners)
  • Marsh United Reserves (Group C Winners)
  • AFC Ainsdale Reserves (Best Runner-Up across all groups)

AFC Ainsdale Reserves clinched the final semi-final berth by a narrow margin, finishing with 6 points compared to Marsh United’s 5.

Semi-Final Fixtures Released

The semi-final ties have now been confirmed and can be found here.
With the quality on display so far, both matches promise to be fiercely contested as the teams battle for a place in the Frank Curry Memorial Cup Final.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach what promises to be a thrilling climax to the tournament!

Frank Curry Memorial Cup 24/25

The details of the Frank Curry Memorial Cup have now been finalised. 13 teams have entered the competition and have been grouped geographically into 3 groups as follows:

AFC Ainsdale Reserves

Bickerstaffe Reserves

Fleetwood Hesketh

Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs

Astley FC Reserves

New Longton Rovers

Sir Tom Finney

Wigan Rovers

Wyre Villa Reserves

Bay Rangers

Castle FC

Marsh United

Marsh United Reserves

Format:

  1. Within each group teams will play each other once either home or away. This may depend on pitch availability in some cases.
  2. The winners of each group will progress to the semi finals, plus one other team will be determined as the competition progresses.
  3. The venues and arrangements for the semi finals will be notified in due course.
  4. There is no entry fee for the cup.

Any questions, please communicate with Alan Stuttard or Peter Jones.