Wednesbury Athletic hold their nerve in cup thriller
Wednesbury Athletic were crowned the inaugural winners of Beacon Sunday League’s first over 30s final this week.
In a thrilling encounter at AFC Wulfrunians ground, Wednesbury took the silverware against Springvale Vets following a dramatic penalty shootout, one that thoroughly entertained a sizeable crowd.
The teams had been locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 following an extra half-hour when both sides had opportunities to take the honours.
It was not to be and the first ever Roger Brindley Cup eventually went to Wednesbury after they edged a tense penalty shoot out 5-4. Their captain Gez Bailey received the trophy from Roger’s sister Kay Southall.
It was Springvale who broke the deadlock on 30 minutes when a misplaced midfield pass was snapped up by man-of-the match Darryl Gillett and he raced away to score.
However, Springvale suffered a blow six minutes later when Mark Ashurst was sent off for two bookable offences.
Wednesbury got back on level terms on the hour mark when substitute Mickey Eagles curled the ball home from 20 yards.
Eagles went close for Wednesbury on 73 minutes, but saw his lob over the Springvale keeper drift just wide, before Wednesbury’s Elys Davies cleared off the line to deny Vale’s Ben Wilkins.
Just three minutes into extra-time Wednesbury moved ahead. Richard Gummery crossed from the left and Ben Jevons headed in at the back post.
Back came Springvale and, on 102 minutes, Gillett crossed for Wilkins to level. Wednesbury’s Darren Leonard missed two late chances but it was his side that triumphed from the spot.
