Wednesday 24th March 2010, Heybridge Swifts FC, Kick-Off 7:30pm, Essex Saturday Veterans Cup Final supported by Southend Radio.
Port of London came from behind to clinch their fourth Essex Saturday Veterans Cup title, defeating Manford Way 3-1 after extra time and making amends for their defeat to White Notley in the same competition’s final three years ago.
“This victory is more pleasing because we lost our last Veterans Cup Final,” said Port of London’s victorious boss Terry Murray after the game at Heybridge Swifts FC’s Scraley Road home. “We came from behind against Runwell Old Boys in the semi-final of the League Cup at the weekend and have done the same to win tonight. We were a little below par, but that’s taking nothing away from Manford Way who played really well.”
Manford Way, from the open-age Mid-Essex League, took the game to their Essex Veterans League opposition early on and could have stolen a 7th-minute lead when Franklyn Hunte headed Tony Hegarty’s corner against a post. The competitive first period then saw Port of London test Manford ‘keeper Mark Radish from range and John Girling headed an Edwin Martin cross over the top before Manford took the lead.
On 37 minutes, a Tommy Hegarty shot was pushed out by ‘keeper Kevin Foster into the path of Martin St Hilaire who tapped in from close range. They could have extended that lead after the break with brothers Tommy and Tony Hegarty proving a threat but their opponents pressed for a leveller as both Stuart Parnell and Dean Parratt came close before equalising on 77, Girling heading home Jason Spitari’s well-flighted corner.
Manford may have won the game in stoppage time but St Hilaire was left kicking himself having failed to capitalise when through on goal after latching onto Tony Hegarty’s incisive pass. That miss eventually came back to bite his team as they conceded a penalty three minutes into extra time. Scott Lavin brought down Steve Clark, allowing Parratt to confidently send Radish the wrong way from the 12-yard spot.
Manford still had chances and Danny Haskins shot wide before Simon Myers’ free-kick bounced off the crossbar, but Port of London threatened too. Parnell had already seen his strike pushed over the top prior to Rogers sealing the win in stoppage time, brilliantly chesting the ball down before turning and firing past Radish from a few yards.
Murray summarised: “A lot of the people watching around me didn’t think we were going to equalise and, although I always thought we would, I was very relieved when we did! We have quality players and I always knew we had a chance. Tony Rogers was missing for us at the start, but he came on and he’s really important as he’s a superb player.”
Manford Way: Mark Radish, Mark Brent, Simon Myers, Brian Steers, Glen Thomas, Tony Hegarty, Scott Lavin, Lee Woodhouse, Andy Vesey, Martin St Hilaire, Franklyn Hunte. Substitutes (repeated): Ronnie Bates, Tommy Hegarty, Peter Dutton, Fraser Bay, Danny Haskins.
Port of London: Kevin Foster, Kevin Stewart, Edwin Martin, Tolo Mas, Bruce Reid, John Girling, Dean Parratt, Stuart Parnell, Roy Edwards, David Jacques, Jason Spiteri. Substitutes (repeated): Steve Clark, Derek Wells, Tony Rogers.
Bookings: Manford Way: Brent (117, unsporting behaviour). Port of London: Rogers (78, unsporting behaviour).
Referee: Christopher Lee (Basildon).
Assistant Referees: John Sandlin (Dunmow) and Stephen Clarke (Heybridge).
Fourth Official: Roman Kipikasa (Ingatestone).
Attendance: 121.