Hampshire Junior B Cup - final

Twyford 3, Kyngs Town 1

A SIZEABLE crowd, including a noisy contingent from the Island, gathered to watch Twyford win their first ever county cup at Cams Alders, Fareham, recently.

Both teams started brightly, clearly keen on attacking, and Kyngs Towne's Spinney saved well from Mark Hopwood in the 10th minute. Five minutes later, a free-kick for Twyford should have caused problems, but the final ball caught a player offside.

The Isle of Wight League side, based at Brading, were being penned in their own half. It was no surprise when a corner from the left was only partially cleared, and Hopwood hit a screamer into the top right hand corner with Spinney well beaten.

The Islanders hit back, and only a last-ditch tackle by Charlie Parker prevented an equaliser. KT were not to be denied, however. Liam Weller gambled on a long clearance from Spinney being missed by the Twyford defence, and he headed over the advancing Mark Bruce. Route one football at its best!

Weller nearly scored a second minutes later as he ran on to a through ball, but it became entangled in his legs and the chance was lost. In the 39th minute an excellent block by Kyngs Towne defender Lewis Starling prevented a certain goal for Twyford.

Five minutes into the second half Sam Austin nearly shot Twyford ahead. Spinney continued to be the busier keeper, and he had to be on his toes to save from Gary Compton. KT were now on the back foot, with Twyford passing the ball around well, and were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. Alan White cleared off the line from a corner.

Spinney then tipped a goalbound shot round the post and then saved with his legs from the corner, while a snap-shot from Hopwood drifted tantalisingly wide.

Twyford manager Neil Cassar brought on sub Malcolm Stuart, and from his run and cross into the box Austin fired Twyford into a deserved lead.

Right on full-time there was further drama. Spinney saved well right on the edge of his box, but his momentum carried him outside his area, where he instinctively saved again. The referee had no option but to send him off, and Spinney was a sad and forlorn figure as he left the field.

The resulting free kick caused mayhem in the KT penalty area, and Hopwood scored to make the result safe. The Islanders were not disgraced, and fought for every ball, but there was only ever going to be one winner.

The match was well controlled by referee Andy Henwood.