Newark Town 3 Crown Nottingham 0

Please note: credit for the photo ''Champagne from Heaven'' above, goes to ''Alexandra Johnson photography''

Newark were firm favourites before the final of this season Notts Junior Cup but as in many a final, the underdogs often have their day, and certainly Crown FC of Nottingham put up a good spirited display that held off Newark for a considerable part of the game.

Played under floodlights in Forest Town, Mansfield, Newark enjoyed much of the play but Crown on occasion threatened to upset a Newark side that had unfortunately missed several early chances.

After 45 minutes the game remained scoreless and it was not until the 80 minute that this, until then rather poor game, came to life with a goal. Centre forward, Joe Braithwaite, stormed into the penalty area and with no nonsense firmly placed the ball beyond the reach of the keeper giving Town, a well-deserved lead.

On 84 minute a shot from Tom Perkins was met by the chest of Louis Cree who’s turning motion from 2 metres out allowed the ball to be directed into the net making it 2-0.

The game was extended with the Officials awarding 5 minutes of injury time. On the 92 minute mark, Louis Cree making a run into the penalty area was brought down, the Referee hesitated only briefly before awarding a penalty. Liam Warner, scored the third goal for the Town dispatching from the penalty spot into the top left hand side of the goal.

After the presentation by the Officials of Notts FA of this prestigious cup and medals, celebration began in earnest. Simon Greenfield, a former Town Saturday regular player, who had only days earlier celebrated his 35th birthday, had an extra-special reason to celebrate, after several years of trying he had actually won his first ever Nottinghamshire Cup winners medal.

A fine performance by Simon and the Newark boys. And for Simon and for all next season maybe another challenge and maybe another Notts Cup!

Joint Players of the Match for Newark - Luke Parsons Captain and Anthony Richardson our fine and reliable keeper.

Up the Blues.