DOUBLE DELIGHT AS WESSEX LIFT GFA CUP
22 April 2008
Longwell Green Reserves 3 v 3 Wessex Wanderers (AET)
Wessex win 3 v 2 on penalties
Wessex Wanderers won the second trophy of a possible 'treble' by getting the better of a penalty shootout with District League Champions Longwell Green Sports Reserves to win the 2008 GFA Cup, following a thrilling 3 v 3 draw. The two heroes for Wessex were Lewis Perryman, who scored a superb first half hat-trick, and goalkeeper Carl Bush who saved three penalties in a dramatic shootout.
The game started well for Wessex who took an early lead with their first attempt on goal when Perryman tried his luck with an audacious 45 yard lob from the touchline and his effort dipped over goalkeeper Dave Leggett and into the back of the net.
Longwell tried to hit back with Craig Madine forcing a good save from Carl Bush with a shot on the turn. However Wessex once again delivered a blow as Simon Mahoney played a free kick into the area and Jamie Carnevale hooked the ball towards Steve Webster who was denied by a good challenge from Reilly. The ball ran loose for Perryman to tuck the ball into the far corner for his second goal.
The pattern of the game continued with Longwell still pressing and after Jackson had headed just over from a corner, they got themselves back into the game as Aaron Cole made a threatening run to the edge of the area before picking out Marsh who buried a firm left foot shot past Bush.
Wessex then hit Longwell with another counter attack and a fine move, Perryman holding the ball up and finding Pullin on the left, his return cross field pass was well taken by Perryman who, initially denied by Reilly's saving tackle, picked the rebound and curled a left foot shot past Leggett into the far top corner of the net to complete a spectacular hat-trick.
Early in the second half, Wessex were presented with a great chance to go further ahead as Mahoney's free kick was headed down by Kevin Curtis for Gary Russell who shot just wide. At the other end, Bush pulled off an excellent diving save to prevent Marsh from scoring his second goal and Cole fired an effort just past the post whilst Madine's volley was saved.
Wessex worked hard to preserve their lead but with ten minutes remaining Longwell grabbed themselves a lifeline. Marsh's corner was headed away by Curtis and Paul Pointer played the ball back in the area for Reilly to score with a looping header via the back post.
Longwell continued to press and they were rewarded after Wessex were unable to clear the ball from a scramble and Madine kept his cool to score from close range and put his side back on level terms.
As extra time began, Wessex produced the first opportunity with Russell shooting wide from Steve Pocock's cross. Cramp began to affect the players and chances were far fewer in the extra period although Jackson did have a goal disallowed for offside.
With the clock running down Wessex looked the team most likely to score a winner and with two minutes left Luke Webster chased a long ball and outpaced the Longwell defence, just reaching the ball before the oncoming keeper but his shot rolled agonisingly past the post and into the side netting.
That left the game to be decided by penalties and the nerves started to get the better of both teams. Carl Bush made two great save but Wessex failed to capitalise from the spot with both Mahoney and Pullin failing to convert.
Both teams then scored their next two penalties with Steve Pocock and Steve Webster coolly converting for Wessex before Bush produced his third save to leave Kevin Curtis with the chance to win the match. When Curtis drilled his penalty hard and low into the corner of the net the Wessex celebrations began.
1st Team: Bush, Francis, Flay, Mahoney, Pullin, Webster, Curtis, Smart, Russell, Carnevale, Perryman Subs: Pocock, L Webster, Bartlett, Dorgan, Flynn
