Haven Bridge U 3 Caister Roma 3 (Haven won 3-1 on penalties)

United started the brighter in this Burgess Cup final at the Wellesley and almost took the lead when Thompson headed straight at Vendenburgh in the Caister goal.

He made amends minutes later when he connected with a Scott Butler cross to give Haven Bridge the lead.

Caister, having won the Wiltshire Cup days before, were a shadow of themselves in the first half and it was no surprise when the lively Ricci Butler drilled in from an acute angle to increase United’s lead.

It was almost three just minutes later but somehow the ball evaded everyone and drifted wide.

At half time Caister manager Andrew Lawrence had some stinging words for his lethargic side and they came out a transformed side. This caught Haven Bridge by surprise and it was game on when they pulled one back. Amazingly it was 2-2 just two minutes later as Caister looked the more likely to secure the silverware. Molloy then made a fabulous save at 2-2 with the striker having already gone round him.

In one of the rare attacks in the second half Haven Bridge were awarded a free kick which Scott Butler fired brilliantly into the top corner.

Resolute Caister drew level. A flurry of yellow cards soon followed which eventually saw the dismissal of Louis Turner.

Extra time came and went without too much trouble and the game went to penalties. Molloy was Haven’s hero as he made three excellent saves from Caister’s first three penalties. With the score at 2-1 to Haven Bridge up stepped John Bell to fire home his penalty and win the first of potentially three trophies for Haven Bridge. The trophy was presented to Haven Bridge captain Adam Thompson by league sponsor Graeme Kerr from the Pub on the Shrubs.

Both clubs were a credit to the league and the league was very pleased with the excellent attendance.