Cup returns to Exiles F.C.

A crowd of over 170 were royally entertained as Exiles F.C. retained the Division Six League Cup trophy that they won 12 months ago.

Exiles dominated the first 45 minutes but despite their pressure they failed to turn this into goals. U.C.C. created very little in the first half and their only real efforts on goal came early in the half when after only 5 minutes Syd Saunders shot wide.

Paul Waldron in the U.C.C. goal illuminated the night sky and proved to be a difficult barrier to break down. He saved well from a Greg Burrows header, that he pushed wide of the upright then somehow managed to save low down from the dangerous Brad Hughes.

Hughes had Exiles best efforts of the half but lacked composure in front of goal as he blazed wide on a few occassions. With the clocking ticking down to half time a Will Carter free kick from the right just needed a touch at the far post but the on rushing Exiles attackers failed to connect.

In the last minute of the half UCC broke quickly but Saunders failed to punish the stretched Exiles defence

Half Time Exiles F.C. 0 United Chelmsford Churches F.C. Res. 0

U.C.C. came out much the stronger of the two sides and both Simon Warren and the lively Syd Saunders went close. However you always felt that the Witham based side look the most likely team to break the deadlock.

On 65 minutes the Referee Ryan Johnson who had an excellent game awarded Exiles a penalty for a trip just inside the box, there were no arguments from the UCC players and up stepped Jon Flowers to convert with some aplomb to put Exiles ahead.

The goal seemed to stimulate U.C.C. and they started to win the 50 / 50 balls and dominate possession, although they seemed to be lacking a cutting edge up front.

On 78 minutes Exiles failed to clear a corner from the right and substitute Mariusz Zawadzki drove hard and low and saw the ball nestle into the back of the net to earn UCC an equaliser.

The game then ebbed and flowed, Brad Hughes hit a ferocious shot with many waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net Paul Waldron flung himself to his right and pulled off a remarkable save, a save that would have graced any Cup Final.

On 83 minutes Waldron's luck ran out. Ryan McCormack from Exiles struck a low shot, which deceived the UCC keeper, it struck his knee, cannoned against the post and then spun into the net, own goal, harsh on Waldron who up until then had produced a performance of credit.

Despite conceeding UCC were determined to throw caution to the wind and continued to threaten the Exiles goal. There was some last ditch defending from the Exiles defence and with 4 minutes remaining the luckless Zawadzki saw his goal bound effort blocked by his own player.

As they went looking for the equaliser UCC were always prone to a break away and both Hughes and Enstone wasted chances to kill the game.

Despite all their endeavours the final whilstle blew and Exiles had secured the trophy

Full Time Exiles F.C. 2 United Chelmsford Churches F.C. 1

A final word to the three match officials, our youngest set of officials ever but all were a credit to the competition

Attendance 175 (a record for Division Six?)