Thompson hangs up boots after cup success

14 Apr 2025 By Andy Sykes

Milnthorpe's IAN HUNT witnessed Milnthorpe Corinthians success in the Westmorland Senior Cup on Friday - here's his match report.

The final played at Kendal Town in front of a large crowd of 1,123 began as a cagey affair with both teams coming to terms with a firm bobbly pitch.

That was until on 15 minutes Matty Casson produced a fine piece of skill running into the Kendal United box turning and wrong footing defenders before slotting his shot into the right corner of the net giving Brolly in goal no chance.

United pressed hard without creating any clear cut chances before Johnny Voortman fired in a shot for Corinthians on the half hour which produced a fine save from Brolly.

Two minutes before half time Joe Rigby had a great run, came inside to the touch line and hit a low cross into the six yard box which Looker slotted home equalising for Kendal United to end a fairly even first half.

The second half began even until on 60 minutes when Casson had a strike from outside the area turned round by Brolly for a corner.

Corinthians then seemed to be getting on top. Rickerby produced a great strike from the edge of the box which Brolly produced another excellent save tipping it around his right post for a corner.

The match went into extra time with both teams working hard but failing to produce any clear chances.

That was until a goalmouth scramble on 105 minutes saw a clever back heel by Harry Morrison wrong foot everyone including Brolly to squeeze inside the far post sealing the cup heading to Milnthorpe for a record 23rd time.

After the match Corinthians player-manager Garry Thompson called time on a fabulous playing career to concentrate on management with over 800 career games for Morecambe, Scunthorpe United, Notts County, Bradford City, Wycombe, Workington, Penrith and Corinthians, which included five Wembley appearances.

It was a fitting finale for the 44-year-old Kendal lad to manage his team in his home town and win the County cup in his last playing match.

Where next?

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