Labour Club 3 Wellington Social 2
GEOFF Poulter's Labour side have not had the best of seasons but, with Lee Chambers and Barney Powell back from Overton United, they fully deserved this Supplementary A Cup final win.
Wellington, without a couple of key players at Water End, were clearly shaken by the brilliant start made by their opponents and, after just 13 minutes, found themselves two goals down.
A great move between Lee Chambers and Tommy Lee ended with Lee planting his low shot past Jason Charles in the 10th minute.
Three minutes later, Carl Gilbert's cross from the right was well-controlled by Lee Chambers, who placed his shot well out of the reach of Charles.
Within two minutes, Wellington were back in the game, however. A 25-yard free-kick from Mickey Costen struck the underside of the bar and Jeff Hance made the most of the opportunity, running in to nod the rebound into the net.
Labour Club stormed back and, having had the better of the play, Lee Chambers went close before Barney Powell sent in a swerving 20-yard shot that beat the diving Charles just inside the post to give Labour a 3-1 interval lead.
Hance had a chance for Welly, following cross from sub Joe Brebbin, but Charles was in action to bring off a diving save from another Powell pile-driver and then a Powell effort was cleared off the line.
Alan Spacagna broke clear but could not finish and Labour paid for these missed chances in the 75th minute when they conceded a second goal.
A deep Robbie Russell cross into the goalmouth saw Jeff Hance up to challenge Cooke for the ball and, in the end, Simon Ash headed in from two yards out.
The expected grandstand finish did not materialise, however.
The Labour defence, with John Turner and Dave Baker giving nothing away, kept a grip on the game.
Lee Chambers should have scored again when clear but his poor shot went wide.
The cup and awards were presented by Paul Evans, a league management committee member.
The league congratulated Reg Eccott on preparing a superb playing surface at the Basingstoke Colts ground.
Basingstoke Labour Club: Adie Cooke, Carl Gilbert, Alan Spacagna, Mark Smith, John Turner, Dave Baker, Jon Batten, Andy Chambers, Lee Chambers, Tom Lee, Barney Powell. Subs: Steve Flahive, Malcolm Leake, Jason Cordery.
Wellington SC: Jason Charles, Kevin Neal, Alan Cameron, Robbie Russell, Wayne Barber, Micky Costen, Darren Gillbanks, John Hayward, Andy Costen, Simon Ash, Jeff Hance. Subs: Joe Brebbin, James Ballantyne, Jason Burridge.
Referee: John Nichols. Assistants: Andy Sacco. Ron Hanley. Fourth official: Ian Stokes.
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