Basingstoke Labour Club 4 St Helens Blue Star 3
A DRAMATIC winner by Labour substitute Steve Silcox in the third minute of injury time brought the Hampshire Junior A Cup back to Basingstoke for the second year running.
For jubilant Labour Club manager Geoff Poulter, the win eased the bitter disappointment of missing out in last year's final against New Inn and also defeats in successive weeks in two other cup finals this season.
Labour had young striker Lee Chambers back after injury ruled him out for six matches and what a difference he made.
After the shock of McGee hitting the post in the third minute for Blue Star and then Malcolm Leake having to make a good save from Munford in the seventh minute, Chambers struck with his first opportunity, 13 minutes later. He was bundled over in the box and, from the resulting penalty, his shot proved too strong for 'keeper Andy Doncaster.
Within two minutes, Labour were two goals ahead after Carl Gilbert hit a 25-yard shot with the wind into the top corner.
Chambers almost scored a third in the 30th minute, following a cross from Ross Barnard, but it went just wide. Then, as Labour thought they would take a two-goal lead in at the break, Blue Star reduced the arrears with a goal from Lee Parker following a free-kick that caused confusion in the packed area.
Against the wind in the second half and with tough opponents forcing the pace, Mark Smith and his Labour co-defenders held firm while on the break they were forcing chances.
In the 60th minute, Chambers again showed his pace and went through to provide a 3-1 lead. Labour looked comfortable until, in the 72nd minute, Blue Star stuck again, this time through Richie Ford following a corner.
Gilbert blazed a chance over the bar for Labour and goalkeeper Waite had to work to keep out a good effort from Parker before he was beaten in the 90th minute.
Barney Powell opted for a long-range shot at goal, which was taken easily by the 'keeper. He launched a long boot downfield but Lee Parker equalised with the 'keeper now out of position.
The Islanders' joy was soon ended when a Blue Star defender tried a back-header to his 'keeper. It fell short and Steve Silcox took it wide before cutting in to slam home the winner.
The cup and awards were presented by Peter Sanders, a director of the Hampshire FA.
Labour: Leake, Baker, Powell, Smith, Hedges, Gilbert, Cordery (sub Spacagna), Lee, Batten (sub Silcox), Barnard (sub Poulter), Chambers.
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