Panfield Bell Rovers 2 Spangels 4 (AET)

BNESL Division Three Cup Final (played at Halstead Town FC)

Despite putting on one of their worst displays of the season in front of around 100 paying spectators, Spangels grabbed glory and brought home the silverware in the form of the Braintree & North Essex Sunday League Division Three Cup. The fact that they won this trophy is more down to the antics of the opposition, rather than any great play on Spangels part.

And even though Panfield had managed to get three (yes, three!) players sent off by the end of the match, Spangels still almost lost this game!

Pritchard named a familiar starting eleven, with Livermore stepping in for the injured Lynch at right-back, with Spangels wearing Casuals reserve all green kit due to a clash with Panfield's grey.

Spangels created the first chance of the game, with a flowing move, which saw Sayer free on the left, but his low drive was comfortably saved by the Panfield 'keeper. Unfortunately, this was the best football Spangels played and over the remaing 119 minutes of this match they failed to string passes together.

Panfield dominated the rest of the first half and took the lead after 15 minutes direct from a corner which swung in violently, decieving Ramsay in the Spangels goal. Several other chances were created by Panfield and Ramsay produced some excellent saves as Spangels defence failed to deal with the attacking threat posed.

However, with the score only 1-0 at half-time and now with the wind in their favour, Spangels felt confident of improving their performance and getting back in the match.

The second half was a scrappy affair and Spangels struggled to create anything clear-cut.

Panfield then decided to start helping Spangels by getting a few players needlessly sent off. First, Livermore won a race with a Panfield forward and played the ball out on the right, level with the Spangels box. The Panfield player apparently didn't like this and pushed him in the face, leaving the ref' no alternative but to send him from the field of play.

Then, Whiteman was played through on goal by Rivett and was chopped down from behind as he lined up to shoot. Being the last defender, this meant a second red card for a Panfield player. From the resulting free kick, Crow's corner was parried by the Panfield 'keeper and Livermore tucked the rebound away from a couple of yards.

Spangels huffed and puffed for the rest of the half against nine men, but continued to lack a cutting edge until Todd was introduced in place of Putt. The big front man started to see a lot of the ball and went close a couple of times before the ninety minutes was out.

So, extra time and Spangels had to feel confident against nine men, however their play in normal time had been poor and several players were tiring.

The first half of extra time came and went without much incident, but the second half saw another sending off and finally some goal action.

First, a Panfield player already on a yellow card failed to allow Ramsay to clear from his hands despite several warnings from the referee and left the official the only option of another yellow, followed by a red.

Panfield were now down to eight, but still managed to take the lead moments later when Wilson pulled an attacking player in the box conceding a penalty, which was duly dispatched.

The embarrassment of losing to eight players finally kicked Spangels into life and straight from the kick-off they won a corner. The ball was cleared to the edge of the box where captain Theobald waited and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Minutes later Spangels were in front for the first time, with Todd getting a goal his substitute performance deserved, beating the 'keeper well. Another substitute Winsborough hit an excellent shot from 20 yards which was well saved. The final nail in the coffin was applied by Spangels first goal-scorer Livermore who finished well after a 30 yard cross ball by Crow.

So, in the end Spangels won this game and enjoyed the spoils afterwards, but Panfield have to look at themselves and their own conduct and wonder what might (and should) have been.

Team : Ramsay, G.Livermore (2), Wilson, Pritchard, Theobald (C) (1), Tivey (Winsborough), Rivett, Sayer (Collis), Crow, Putt (Todd (1)), Whiteman.

Spangels MOM : Gary Livermore

Official MOM : Alex Crow