REPORT: SUPERKEV XI 5-5 BELLAMY XI (1-0 AFTER PENS)
Kevin McNaughton and sons win at Cardiff City Stadium on a special day...
Kevin McNaughton scored his first ever Cardiff City Stadium goal on the way to a penalty shootout win in his benefit match on Sunday, 26th March 2017.
Kev scores at Cardiff City Stadium
The game’s first chance arrived for Bellamy’s side when Robert Earnshaw controlled the ball in the box before laying the ball off to Craig Noone. Cardiff City's No.11 took his effort first time, curling it onto the post, to the relief of Super Kev's XI. With fifteen minutes gone, it was McNaughton's team who went close as Stephen Thompson was put through on goal, however the Scottish striker's volley drifted just over.
Kevin McNaughton was clearly enjoying himself out there; he even pulled off a great piece of skill to beat striker Andy Campbell deep in his own half. Seconds later, Noone gathered the ball on the right side once more and saw his effort fizz past the post. With fifteen minutes on the clock, the big moment happened. Thompson latched onto a ball over the top. McNaughton was scampering behind him to offer support and the big striker picked him out.
Kev took a good first touch before driving towards goal before firing a cool effort past Neil Alexander. The silver fox wheeled away in joyous celebration, unable to contain his elation at scoring his first goal at Cardiff City Stadium.
Goals, Goals, Goals
Bellamy’s team went instantly looking for an equaliser and now had the man himself to assist them as Bellamy had come on to replace Andy Campbell. Some good interplay between Bellamy and Earnshaw found Whittingham who laid the ball off to Noone in the area. The winger danced past several challenges but his attempt was kept out by Mark Peat in the Super Kev goal.
That leveller came from City's No.11 on 26 minutes following a deft chip from Trevor Sinclair. Noone trapped the ball effortlessly before squeezing the ball past Peat to make it one apiece. Ten minutes later and McNaughton's eleven were ahead again. Craig Conway played the ball through to Kev, the full back picking out his former Aberdeen teammate and susbstitute Darren Mackie in the middle of the box, who poked the ball into the corner of the net to restore the blue side’s lead.
Just before the whistle went, Earnshaw flicked the ball up and flashed an audacious volley just past the left hand post for Bellamy’s Boys. It took Bellamy’s men five minutes of the second half to level the contest once more. Whittingham picked up the ball in the middle of the park and fed player-manager Bellamy. The former Wales international turned sharply before launching an absolute screamer into the top corner to make it 2-2.
A Finish Fitting of the Legend
The goal from the skipper gave his side added impetus and within two minutes they had taken the lead. Both Bellamy and Whittingham stood over a direct free kick just outside the area. To the surprise of everyone in the stadium, they both left it for substitute and BBC Sport's Jason Mohammad who stepped up to curl a delightful effort into the top corner.
It was turning into a day for spectacular goals when Whittingham picked out former Cardiff full-back Damon Searle for Bellamy’s boys. The Barry Town United Assistant Manager and Cardiff City Commercial Sales Executive drove purposefully towards goal and, with no blue shirts closing him down, saw his effort soar into the back of the net to double the advantage.
At the other end, Jon Parkin’s side-footed effort dipped just wide of the far post, whilst minutes later another curling shot was claimed by Alexander. The ‘Beast’ struck another effort goal-ward with fifteen minutes to go, earning a corner. With twelve minutes left, and after the main man McNaughton had been substituted to rapturous applause, Michael Chopra pulled one back for the blue team, with an excellent finish.
With the minutes ticking down, Kev returned, accompanied by two very special guests, his sons Archie and Finlay McNaughton. The McNaughton boys quickly made their mark on the game with both of them grabbing fantastic late goals to level the match up at 5-5 at the final whistle.
Sudden Death
This meant a sudden death penalty shootout to decide the contest. Kev stepped up for his side and rifled his effort into the back of the net. Moments later, Earnshaw saw his effort saved by the ‘keeper, meaning that the Super Kev XI emerged victorious, capping off a wonderful day for the McNaughton family and Cardiff City support.
FINAL SCORE: MCNAUGHTON XI 5-5 BELLAMY XI (Super Kev wins 1-0 on pens)
Kevin McNaughton’s Squad: Mark Peat, Kevin McNaughton, Archie McNaughton, Finlay McNaughton, Barry McNaughton, Mark Hudson. Ben Turner, Lee Naylor, Emmanuel Adewole, Michael Chopra, Don Cowie, Connah Hughes, Stephen McPhail, Peter Mota, Ross O’Donoghue, Jon Parkin, Alex Winters, Darren Mackie, Craig Conway, Ian Lanning, Tom Jenkins.
Craig Bellamy’s Squad: Neil Alexander, Damon Searle, Andy Legg, Riccy Scimeca, Darren Purse, Peter Whittingham, Paul Parry, Craig Noone, Trevor Sinclair, Robert Earnshaw, Andy Campbell, Jason Mohammad, Craig Moulden, David Bush, James Fox, Craig Bellamy.
