Newbury Town FC was the venue for the Lakeside Trophy Final that saw Norreys come up against Blue Ball.
Norreys were starting with a 4-3-3 formation and looking to make use of the vast pitch in the forward area and the game began well for Norreys with an attack straight from the kick off which was a good sign for Norreys.
Despite forcing a corner and having an attempt on goal within the first minute of the match, Blue Ball's first attack of the game led to a long range strike cannoning off the cross bar with the flight of the ball being lost by Bones which allowed the Blue Ball front man to nod in from close range with less than 2 minutes on the clock.
After the goal it was all Norreys pressure, and the corner and shot count was rising by the minute and Blue Ball were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. Somehow the Blue Ball goal was proving elusive and attempts from Ali and Denton were the closest, whilst longer range efforts from Weekesy and Robbie could well have been on their way to the A4.
The equaliser looked to be just a matter of time, however for all Norreys possession and good approach play, the Blue Ball goal was leading a charmed first 30 minutes, most of the pressure was coming from Norreys corners which were looking the best way back into the game. On 32 minutes a corner from the left from Karl was met neatly by Denton who headed home into the side of the net for the equaliser.
Norreys were unable to build on their continued first half pressure and the game remained at 1-1 til half time.
Norreys looked to continue the second half where they left off the first, and were enjoying all the early pressure and possession. On 49 minutes following some good work from the right hand side the ball fell nicely for Karl to hit a long range effort from outside the box sweetly into the far side of the net for a 1-2 Norreys lead.
Blue Ball were now trying harder to get back into the game and their tackling was becoming more determined and a bit irrational and the Blue Ball N0. 10 was booked for a late challenge on Robbie. The game was becoming more competitive and Blue Ball were looking to use the break away to get back in the game by utilising the pace of the No. 11 which was providing them with opportunities.
The next best opportunity fell Norreys way when some good passing in midfield created some space for the through-ball and when the keeper decided to rushg out his area to clear found himself in no-mans land and the attempted lob was instinctively parried away by the keepers hands for a clear free-kick and sending off. However the ref had other ideas and the keeper was only given a yellow, much to the disbelief of the Norreys team.
The resultant free kick was hit over by Robbie and maybe Blue Ball's luck was now in. And so it turned out to be when Blue Ball capitalised on their pace up front to not only equalise on 63 minutes, but then also take the lead on 67 minutes when it looked like despite all Norreys possession the game was going to fall way from them.
Building on their good come back skills from the previous weekend, Norreys were still looking to get back into the game and were gifted a great opportunity when on 73 minutes some good wing play from the left led to a Blue Ball defender clearly handling in the area and a penalty was awarded to Norreys.
Up stepped Robbie who dispatched the penalty with force for 3-3. Norreys were then looking the stronger of the two and only a few minutes later had a great opportunity for the lead when Tam was played in inside the area only for cramp to kick in at the worst possible time which took all the power off his shot.
Tam was replaced by Joao on 76 minutes and the captain's armband passed to Wilkesy for the remainder of the game.
Blue Ball were still trying to also win the game and were using their pace up front well and but for some last ditch defending and some good saves from Bones could well have done so.
An injury to Ali saw him replaced by Steve on 82 minutes. It looked as if the tie would be going to extra time as both teams were struggling to find a clear cut chance until with only minutes to go the Blue Ball No.11 was put clean through and went one on one with Bones who somehow made an amazing finger tip save to push the ball onto the post and then was cleared by the thankful Norreys defence.
To extra time it went, both teams looking tired although Norreys seemed to be lasting the better. After coming close early in extra time, Steve was played in by Neil and produced a great finish passed the on rushing keeper for a Norreys 3-4 lead on 109 minutes.
Blue Ball were throwing everything at Norreys, but somehow the Norreys defence were keeping the ball out of the goal. At half time of extra time Milton was introduced to put some fresh legs on the pitch and was swapped for Karl.
Blue Ball were sending more players forward and were looking like getting an equaliser, but Norreys were able to counter attack and a ball across the box from Steve to Joao led to a mis-hit shot wrong footing the keeper and creeping into the left hand side of the goal for 3-5 with only a minute to play.
Norreys were able to hold on for the remaining time and their first Lakeside Trophy Cup!!
Managers man of the match was a close call between Bones (for the game saving fingertip on to the post) and Neil for his battling performance with the latter just edging the decision for the manager.
