Sandon Royals win Cup for the first time

Sabdon Royals F.C. added their name to the David Strachan Knockout Cup list of trophy winners with a 2-1 victory over Braintree & Bocking United F.C. in this traditional May Day fixture, in a game where chances were at a premium

From the kick off Braintree created the first real opening when a powerful shot from Freddie Harle when just wide of the far post.

Sandon applied pressure on the Braintree goal a free kick from just outside of the penalty area was easily saved by Mark Brown in the Braintree goal.

On 16 minutes Nathan Hull of Sandon broke clear he rounded the on rushing Brown only to see his goal bound effort cleared from just under the cross bar by Graham Bickmore.

From the resultant corner in a mix up in defence allowed Dan Ayden from Sandon Royals to head home.

Just before the half time interval Ayden had a chance to increase Sandon's advantage but his effort when wide, when it looked easier to score.

Within 4 minutes of the restart Braintree and Bocking United F.C. were level. Tony Hubble man handled the Braintree attacker from a free kick and as he bundled him to the floor the Referee was in a great position to award the foul and a penalty kick.

Up stepped Adam Arkley to bring the game level

A swift response from Sandon saw Brown called upon to save smartly. On 57 minutes as the game ebbed and flowed substitute Adam Fennell from Braintree saw his free kick curl over the cross bar.

Penderleigh in the Sandon goal was then called upon to save smartly in the 73rd minute from a well worked Braintree move.

With time ticking down the game entered the last 5 minutes a cross from the Sandon right found Adam Fishpool on the edge of the penalty area where he flicked the ball goalwards and saw the ball nestled into the far corner.

Braintree never really recovered from this late set back which saw the Chelmsford based team run out winners by 2-1

Final Score Braintree and Bocking United F.C. 1 Sandon Royals F.C. 2