Report for

 

League Cup “A”

 

By Bill Baldwin
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League Cup 'A' Final

Guru Nanak Reserves  2    Lullingstone Castle  2

Monday, 24 March 2008

There was a shock in Easter Monday's League Cup ‘A’ final tie when First Division Guru Nanak Reserves edged out Premier Division leaders Lullingstone Castle in a penalty shootout.

 

The game was only three minutes old when the Guru's leading scorer, William Friend, made no mistake to give his side an early lead.

 

In fact, Guru Nanak's second string had the better of the play in the first 15 minutes and went close several times, but the Lullies' defence stood firm and after 28 minutes they drew level. Timmy Jerman found Luke Pearson, who put in a great volley from 20 yards giving Guru keeper, Neil Thorne, no chance.

 

With the snow easing off, the game went from end-to-end and both sides went close to scoring but it was all square at the break.

 

The second half livened up with the tackles getting harder and Guru Nanak regaining the lead with a second goal from Friend after 61 minutes against the run of play.

 

It was then the Lullies played their best football, going forward in search of the equaliser and putting the Gurus' defence under pressure for long periods. They held out until the 75th minute when the Lullies' front runner, Ryan Orpwood, snatched a goal from nothing to level the scores again.

 

When referee Shaun Laver blew the final whistle, the game was taken into extra-time and Guru Nanak should have won when one of their forwards was presented with a clear cut chance from eight yards. However, he dragged his shot wide, much to the relief of Lullingstone.

 

There was no further scoring in the extra-time and the game went to penalties, where the crowd got involved with cheering for every goal and miss. Guru Nanak finally took the cup when Thorne made two brilliant saves and the Lullies fired one over the crossbar to secure a 3-2 shootout success for the First Division outfit. The trophy was presented to their skipper by the League's Vice-Chairman, David Watts.