After the success of their 2nd XI counterparts in the AFA Intermediate
Cup, it was now down to the 3rd eleven to try to emulate them and secure
a historic promotion and cup double with a victory over arch rivals Old
Parmiterians.
The final was held at Midland Bank's ground in Beckenham on Saturday 29th
April. The opposition were the same team which the 3rd XI were fighting
for the championship with and feelings were high after they had bean beaten
by Old Parms in a league game just before Easter. The pitch looked in
excellent condition and the bank felt that the bigger pitch would suit
their passing game.
The game started at a terrific pace and the bank were soon on the attack
and created some half chances which they could not take advantage off.
However Old Parmiterians began to come into the game and got more of the
ball towards their front two who were quite a handful for the bank back
four.
It was Old Parmiterians who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute of the
game after a lapse of concentration in the back rearguard allowed an Old
Parms forward to rifle the ball into the bottom corner despite Adam Mills
in the bank goal getting his hand to the ball. This seemed to knock the
stuffing out of the bank and for a while Old Parms threatened to increase
their lead, but a defence marshalled superbly by John Hodges kept them
at bay and gradually the bank were forcing Old Parms on to the back foot.
With half time nearing they were rewarded for their hard work when Roger
Dickson equalised from 25 yards. The bank supporters went wild.
At half time the general message from the management team was that we
had to keep hold of the ball and make sure of our passes in the final
3rd of the oppositions half. The 2nd half started with the bank on to
the attack. All the 50-50 balls were being won by the bank and the midfield
were beginning to stamp their authority on the game. It was evident that
the big pitch was beginning to take its toll on some of the Old Parmiterian
players as a few of them were suffering with cramp.
We were awarded a penalty midway through the half for a foul on a bank
player and Roger Dickson made no mistake to put the bank 2-1 up. All the
pressure was coming from the bank and after a neat move down the left
Steve Mark was brought down inside the box. Penalty shouted the watching
crowd!!!. Free kick said the referee, but wait the linesman was waving
his flag on the other side of the pitch. The referee spoke to him and
then gave the penalty to the relief of the bank players. Steve Mark stepped
up and unfortunately his shot went over the bar.
This did not effect the bank as they continued to attack and soon had
the two goal cushion their 2nd half dominance deserved when Rauri Clerkin
rounded the keeper and put the bank 3-1 up. An excellent achievement by
the team who had already secured promotion some weeks earlier, and now
have to fight it out with Old Parmiterians for the championship.