El Sol v Marlborough FC

Norfolk Sunday Senior Cup Final

Carrow Road

Sunday 5^th April

After a quiet opening El Sol took the lead on 7 minutes when Andrew Pantelli latched on to the ball on the edge of the area and beat the Marlborough keeper with a deft lob. However their lead was short lived with Marlborough equalizing direct from a corner from Colin Wines. On 17 minutes the El Sol keeper Taurean Molloy fumbled a shot but Marlborough could not capitalize. With Marlborough on top Danny McKail had a shot deflected wide and a header from Nicky Mace flew just over, another effort from Mace was well saved by the keeper. Marlborough took a well deserved lead on 31 minutes when Jason Armes headed powerfully in from a Colin Wines free kick. In a rare break away, Paul Dyer forced the keeper into a routine save.  As half time approached Nicky Mace had a header that hit the bar and the follow up from Luke Durrant was parried by the keeper. Half time 2-1.

El Sol changed their tactics for the second half and the Marlborough keeper Chris Hill was called into action as he saved a Roy Coe shot. Then from a Jason Armes free kick Lee Metcalf headed home to increase Marlborough’s lead to 3-1. Marlborough continued to dominate and Danny McKail had a goal disallowed for offside and the same player shot wide from a good position. Colin Wines, who having an excellent game provided Jason Armes with a chance which was again saved by the El Sol keeper. Marlborough went further ahead on 64 minutes, when Wines found Danny McKail who shot into the top left hand corner, another goal was soon forthcoming with Wines once again the provider on 72 minutes as Jason Armes powerfully headed home to make it 5-1. Marlborough continued to dominate and could have increased their lead, however the score remained at 5-1 and they ran out deserved winners as they lifted the cup for the first time in their history.

The game was played with an excellent spirit throughout and Colin Wines was named Man Of The Match.

Will Jeffrey