Seven different individuals found the back of the net as Vincitori claimed the Essex Sunday Veterans Cup in a sensational final against Southend Borough Combination Vets League Premier Division title rivals Corinthians at Great Wakering Rovers FC.

John Dorney put Vincitori ahead on just 5 minutes and there were no more goals until the 56th minute, when Peter Warner made it two. But Corinthians never gave up, managing to level once Daniel Fitch netted on 61 minutes and Dominic Binns converted a penalty a minute from the end. Both teams scored in injury time, Ryan Hathaway for Corinthians and Paul Seymour (a penalty) for Vincitori, only for an own goal to settle matters in extra time.

Dorney turned the ball home at the far post following a 5th-minute, right-wing free kick to open the match up, though there was only a limited number of first-half opportunities which followed. Record goalscorer Alan Frost created a chance on the half-hour with some skilful play on the left-hand side for Corinthians, but his cross was diverted wide by Binns, who arrived at the far post.

In the 41st minute, there was drama as Hathaway was prevented from levelling from the penalty spot, goalkeeper Jed Sumner guessing correctly and turning his spot kick away. That proved especially costly eleven minutes into the second half as Vincitori went 2-0 up. Ryan Smith’s fierce shot was blocked out for a corner and, when the flag kick was worked back to Warner, his sublime, curling strike flew in off the inside of the right-hand post.

Corinthians looked for an immediate response, and they found it on 61 minutes when the prolific Fitch rose at the far post and reduced the deficit with a looping header. Then they started to exert more pressure on the Vincitori defence and Binns hit a 67th-minute half-volley against the outside of the left-hand upright. Eventually, their efforts would pay off.

With a minute of normal time remaining, Binns fired home a penalty to equalise after Frost was brought down inside the area. But there was still injury time to come. Corinthians completed a sensational comeback when Hathaway’s deep free kick sailed over Captain and former professional, Sumner. And the drama wasn’t over, Seymour slotting a composed penalty into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 3-3, meaning 30 minutes of extra time would follow.

The deciding moment arrived two minutes into injury time in the first half. Marcus Bowers delivered a centre into the six-yard box and the ball deflected in off unfortunate defender Ryan Hodgson. This was to be the final goal, which saw Vincitori lift the trophy.

Corinthians: Louis Godwin-Green, Ryan Hathaway, Stephen Kemp, Paul Brooker (C), Shaun Bennett, Daniel Fitch, Dominic Binns, Joseph Dimmock, Marcus Jorge, Peter Jelley, Chris O’Donoghue, Substitutes: Alan Frost, Ryan Hodgson, Marc Smith, Samuel Ayres, Samuel Hendrick. Manager: David Prowse.

Vincitori: Jed Sumner (C), Reiss Dobson, Peter Warner, Jeff Banks, Leigh Sanders, John Dorney, Calvin Purcell, Darren Ellis, Sebastian Tirnoschi, Marcus Bowers, Ricki Endean. Substitutes: Ryan Smith, Paul Seymour, Gavin Miller, Danny Endean, Paul Richardson. Manager: David Jahngir.

Referee: Adrian Rogers (Rochford).

Assistant Referees: Chay Saggers (Braintree) and Sam Francis (Basildon).

Fourth Official: Richard Wilkins (Basildon).

Attendance: 183.