Senior Division Cup Final

A match with ten cautions, three sendings off, five tremendous goals, a penalty and extra time made for and enthralling end to this seasons senior cup competition.

The first half started at a cracking pace with M & B Club going close after just seven minutes when a shot went just wide of the left hand upright. With play swinging from end to end Manford Way started to dominate and in the 29th minute a shot from inside the box was deflected wide off the goalkeepers legs.

In the 44th minute a shot from outside the box struck a defender and fell to the feet off Tom Aries who smashed it into the roof of the net to put Manford Way one up. Just three minutes later a corner was headed back across the goal and Lee Meadows slotted it past the keeper to make the half time score 2 – 0.

M & B Club shot out of the second half starting blocks and in the 49th minute the ball was taken down the left hand side and the centre and was met by Lee Meadows who shot across the keeper into the net.

In the 59th minute a Manford Way forward was put through and was one on one with the keeper who made a tremendous save. The resultant corner kick was cleared up field where a driving run took the ball into the Manford Way penalty area where it was passed to Lee Meadows whose shot flew into the net to make the scores level.

In the 85th minute of the match after some exciting forward play by both sides the M & B Club substitute was sent off for stamping on an opponent right in front of the assistant. There was no further score and the match went into extra time.

Ten minutes into extra time the ball was won on the edge of the M & B Club penalty area and the ensuing centre was headed intyo the top corner of the net by Frankie Allie.

On the 114th minute the game took another turn when a Manford Way player was sent off after an off the ball incident that also lead to a M & B Club player being cautioned. Play restarted with a dropped ball and the same M & B Club player went into a rash challenge bringing an opponent down from behind as was dismissed for getting two yellow cards.

The match was finally put out of M & B Clubs reach just three minutes before the end of extra time when the goalkeeper brought a forward down lust inside the right hand edge of the penalty area and Gavin Toussaint slotted home from the spot.

A game full of incident ended up with Manford Way winning 4 – 2 and M & B Club losing out for the second year in succession.

Credit must go to the referee who allowed play to flow when he could but took firm action when warranted

Bill Spurgeon Charity Cup Final

Mountnessing Boca won their first trophy of the season and retained the trophy they won last season when goals from Joe Huggett and Barry Fox gave them a 2 – 0 victory over Broomfield in the final at Witham Town.