Sporting Armley completed a famous league and cup double in an exciting Mark Hawkin's Memorial Trophy final.
Sporting started the game brightly and played some good passes to create the first opportunities. Karl Smith had the ball in the back of the net within the first 10 minutes but his strike was ruled for offside by the referee, despite the linesman not flagging for it.
Inter Batley were certainly up for it, and spurred on by their mass of fans in the stands they pressed Armley at every opportunity, and eventually they capitalised on an individual error from Phil Wheeler.
Wheeler was the last man when he played the ball straight at the feet of Inter's striker, who raced clear and scored past Dennis Spencer who had no chance.
Sporting were rocked and Inter Batley dominated the resulting 10 minutes, coming close on a couple of occasions and also striking the woodwork. Somehow Armley came through this pressure unscathed and swung the game back in their favour with a goal from Karl Smith.
It was route one stuff from Armley, with Gareth Knight hitting a long cross field ball to Smith who raced down the right flank. Inter's keeper rushed out to clear the ball, but Smith got to it first and looped the ball over him and to the delight of Armley's fans the ball bounced under the crossbar to equalise.
Armley's strike force of Iain McBurney and Danny Goulden were beeing booed and jeered every time they touched the ball, and it seemed to be having an effect on their game as they came close, but missed several good opportunities to put Armley in front.
Eventually the pressure proved too much for Inter Batley as an Aaron Dix cross from left field was flicked on by Karl Smith and met by Gareth Knight at the far post. He controlled the ball and had time and space to slam his side in front. The keeper got a touch on the ball but the power took it past him and into the net.
Inter never gave up and earned a corner just before half-time. The cross was headed clear but not far enough as a waiting player on the edge of the box fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner to make it 2-2 at the break.
Sporting received the hairdryer treatment from captain Glenn King at half-time, and Armley took to the pitch in the second half with a renewed determination. Gareth Knight took on a more defensive holding midfield role with James Cowlam in front.
It was a closely contested second half, with few clear cut chances being created for either side, but eventually Armley's class shone through and they got their winning goal.
Gareth Knight hit a free kick from the half way line towards the penalty spot, Glenn King flicked it goalwards, and Aaron Dix arrived to nod the ball past the goalkeeper to win the game.
There was still 30 minutes left to play at this point, and Armley battled against Inter Batley but held firm under pressure. Goulden and McBurney were a constant threat but it was Smith who had the best chance to wrap up the game in the final minutes. Goulden's cross was hit hit first time by Smith and the ball brushed the outside of the post.
Dennis Spencer in the Armley goal had an outstanding game throughout and could nothing with either goal conceded. He pulled off a fantastic match winning save when Inter Batley beat the offside trap and raced clear. Spencer is known for excelling in one-on-one situations, and he did it again here racing out to close down the striker and smash the ball clear when it could have been another equaliser for Inter.
When the whistle blew it was celebration time for Armley and manager Jason Lovett who have together won the league and cup double. It is a fantastic achievement and credit to everyone at the club from manager, treasurer, players and supporters who have made this club what it is.
Well done Armley!
