Flitch win trophy after a penalty shoot out

This was always destined to be a tight affair with only one point separating the two sides in the League and both occupying the top two positions. Bizarrely they have yet to meet in the League, the outcome of these two fixtures likely to influence the outcome of the championship. And so it turned out with both defences keeping the game tight and chances at a premium it took a penalty shoot out to determine the eventual winner of this Cup Final.

Pro started strongly and within the opening minutes a cross from the right saw Joe Dimmock head the ball back across goal only for Ricky Hassan to blaze over. Dimmock created a great deal of anxiety to the Flitch back four and a flick header from a long throw after 10 minutes saw keeper Taylor called upon to tip over.

Flitch grew into the game and from a Pro corner a quick counter attack saw Shane Pyne break clear from the halfway line only to be thwarted by a great recovery tackle by centre half Ross Kirkum. Kirkum was called again moments later to block a goal bound effort Paul Layzell.

Pro continued to look dangerous Hasson again blazed over on 20 minutes and a long throw from the left saw a Kirkum effort go narrowly over the cross bar. On 25 minutes the deadlock was finally broken when the Flitch defence cleared a Pro corner from the left the ball was played back in where Hassan was left unmarked to shoot home. Marcus Allen then came close to extending Pro’s advantage when a header from a long throw saw Taylor called upon to save smartly at the near post. Just before the half time interval Taylor was again called upon to save well from a Dimmock drive

Half Time Flitch United F.C. 0 Pro Athletic F.C. 1

Flitch dominated the second 45 minutes as Pro Athletic tired. Mike Morgan shot from distance caused Pro keeper Carl McCourt some anxiety as he fumbled. The bust Layzell turned smartly in the box but saw his effort blocked by the Pro defence as the ball broke loose O’Brien’s shot cannoned off the inside of the post and the ball bounced to safety.

On 65 minutes Flitch were on level terms. A free kick from the left deflected into the path of Layzell who coolly turned the ball into the net.

Flitch continued to drive forward looking to secure the winner.

Pro seemed to weather the storm and Crosby saw an effort cleared off the line. Both teams tried in vain but the game was brought to an end with both sides level the game heading into extra time.

Full Time Flitch United F.C. 1 Pro Athletic F.C. 1

Both sides created chances in the additional 30 minutes. Billy Sykes saw an effort go narrowly past the Pro Athletic post and Dimmock again brought a smart save out of Taylor in the Flitch goal.

Extra Time could not split the sides and so we moved to a penalty shoot out.

Hasson missed early from Pro seeing his effort go high and wide. Flitch managed to covert their four spot kicks and when Taylor saved a tame Allen penalty victory was secured for Flitch United F.C.

Final Score Flitch United F.C. 1 Pro Athletic F.C. 1 a.e.t Flitch United F.C. winning on 4-2 Penalties