NORMAN GOULDING CUP WINNERS 2008
17 April 2008
Wessex Wanderers 4 v 0 Imperial Saints
A crowd of 200 turned up at Lodge Road to see Bristol Suburban League Division 2 leaders Wessex Wanderers take the first step in their quest to win the treble with a 4 nil win over Imperial Saints in the 2008 Norman Goulding Cup final.
Both teams entered the game in a great form, having not lost since October. It was Wessex who started the game brightest and they took the lead on 15 minutes when a half hit overhead shot by Jamie Carnevale was fumbled over his own line by the Imperial goalkeeper Ben Lovell.
Referee John Donnelly booked the Imperial Saints Ben Griffiths after 30 minutes for a nasty tackle on Steve Webster before Wessex doubled the lead when keeper Lovell saved well from a Kevin Curtis header but Carnevale fired home the rebound to make the half time score 2 v 0.
Imperial were awarded a penalty for hand ball early in the second half which Wessex thought was harsh, but they were relieved when keeper Carl Bush made a brilliant save from Ryan Morgans fiercely hit penalty.
In what was a tough physical game boiled over in the 62 minute when a mass brawl broke out in the Wessex penalty area with some of the Imperial players losing their heads and Referee John Donnelly had no choice but send off three players, 2 from Imperial and one from Wessex.
With the man advantage Wessex controlled the remainder of the game and scored twice more through a good solo run past three players by Lewis Perryman after 70 minutes and Steve Pocock scoring the fourth in the final minute.
It was a glorious night for the Black & Whites and everyone associated with the club who celebrated their 1st Cup win like only Wessex can!
1st Team: Bush, Francis, Flay, Mahoney, Pullin, Webster, Curtis, Smart, Russell, Carnevale, Perryman Subs: Pocock, L Webster, Bartlett, Dorgan
