Local Football - Mostyn football club win Camden Sunday League
Published: 20 May, 2010
Challenge cup final
Special Report
Mostyn 2, Sir Robert Peel 1
by STEVE BARNETT
• NEWCOMERS Mostyn wrapped up a perfect debut season in the Camden Sunday League at the weekend when they lifted our prestigious CNJ Challenge Cup at Cockfosters Stadium.
Having re-formed following a four year break just weeks before the campaign kicked off, the new look side made a titanic impact on their return to action with a league and cup double.
The free-scoring side, who found the back of the net 78 times in just 16 league games, went into Sunday’s showpiece full of confidence after being crowned Division Two champs.
Their belief on the ball was clear to see as they took on Division One rivals and cup favourites Sir Robert Peel.
Off the pitch, the day started badly for Mostyn (pictured above) with top goalscorer Sam Roberts and ever present centre-half David Bailey both being ruled out of the action.
On the pitch, however, the side looked as settled as they have throughout the season. And their fans didn’t have to wait long before being given good reason to celebrate.
Captain Jamie Crouch sent in a long free-kick to the back post where Jerry Jairette arrived just on time to head home the opening goal.
Mostyn continued to create chances and really should have wrapped the tie up in the first half, but the game remained poised with just a single goal separating the teams.
Peel came out with renewed vigour in the second half and were unlucky not to find an instant equaliser as a thunderous effort from Mark Dawson came back off the crossbar.
It proved a short reprieve for Mostyn as Peel soon found the all-important equaliser, albeit in controversial fashion. A fierce shot from Alexie Nicolaou hit the crossbar and bounced towards the goal line. Goalkeeper Jim Hendry was adamant that he had kept the ball out of the net, but the linesman’s flag went up to leave the game once again hanging in the balance.
Showing a true winners’ spirit, however, Mostyn continued to push forward in search of a winner, and twice forced Peel keeper Kirk Cooke into making superb saves.
The champions’ persistence paid off with just minutes remaining on the clock when Jack Taylor, who had been down to start the game on the bench until a last-minute reshuffle, cleverly controlled a cross and smashed home from close range to seal victory.