DESFORD-CATERPILLAR FC equalised in added time, before picking up their first trophy since joining the NDSFL ,three seasons ago, with a Penalty Shootout win over BERMUDA PARK FC to win in the LEAGUE THREE CHALLENGE TROPHY Final at the Stockingford Pavilion.
On a perfect pitch both sides looked to go forward with both team seeing plenty of the ball. It was on 23 minutes that Desford took the lead when a shot from 20yards by NATHAN TURNER took a slight deflection past the Bermuda keeper REECE HARPER. But it was not level for long when STEVEEN MERRY whips in a cross and converted by SULAV KHADKA to level the scores. Desford thought they had taken the lead on 34minutes, when Chris Neal heads in, only for the goal to be disallowed for a push. It is all Desford, NATHAN TURNER is through only to be thwarted with a good save from Bermuda keeper REECE HARPER.
An open and exciting game with both teams having chances, then on 50minutes a TYAN FORRYAN free kick into the six yard box is met by the head of SCOTT GOODENOUGH to put Desford ahead. Three minutes later it was 3-1 when the Bermuda stopper HARPER scuffs a clearance straight to the feet of NOEL GILBERT who roles the ball into an empty net. Bermuda need to respond and they do with ASHLEY MANTACK seeing BECKWITH in the Desford goal deflect a shot for a corner, but what happens next changes the whole game. with 65minutes on the clock DAVE BECKWITH comes out to clear, clipping the Bermuda attacker, "PENALTY" up steps LEE CHARLES and it is game on again 3-2. It is all Bermuda SILAV going close only to see BECKWITH on good form keeping him out.
After 79minutes Bermuda have another penalty, when STEVEN PYWELL is fouled by the keeper, LEE CHARLES steps up shoots, SAVED by BECKWTH - BUT WAIT, the Assistant is flagging - Keeper off his line - RETAKE ORDERED, reprieve undone 3-3.
Bermuda sense the win and when STEVEN PYWELL heads them in front all looked to be settled, and when Bermuda were awarded a 3rd penalty Desford looked beaten, but wait a moment, penalty missed great save from DAVE BECKWITH, and now it was Desford's turn to push forward, and with 4 minutes of injury time played Bermuda are a man light after a RED CARD. In the 97th and last minute of injury time, NOEL GILBERT smashes the ball in from a tight angle 4-4 and now penalties.
It was left to SCOTT GOODENOUGH to seal the win for DESFORD CATERPILLAR FC 5-3
Well done to all concerned, a great spectacle. and excellently controlled by Referee Ivor Watkins, and his team, Peter Bell, Neill Love and Bill Canavan.
