(Southern Amateur League won 4-2 on penalties)
FA Carlsberg National League System Cup
The Final
7.30pm, Saturday 3 May 2008
Ricoh Arena, Coventry City FC
Goalkeeper Dan Ashley saved two shoot-out penalties before Nick Haynes scored the winning kick to hand the trophy to a delighted Southern Amateur Football League side, at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena.Ashley had earlier conceded a penalty and had been beaten from the spot in a thrilling first half.
But the Midlands men, who had won their place in the final following a win on penalties, could not hold on to their lead or make relative home advantage count.
The Midland side got off to a flying start when they went ahead through a fourth minute Karl Fellows penalty. Striker Kevin Brookes set it all up when his run into the box was ended by a foul from Southern keeper Ashley, who was then beaten from the spot by a decisive Fellows strike.
The lead lasted all of two minutes as the Southern side quickly equalised when Haynes ghosted into the penalty area to score with a well-taken header from about seven yards out.
That goal instilled confidence throughout the side and Haynes went so close toputting the Southern Amateur League in front midway through the first half. He seemed to do all the hard work by getting into an excellent goalscoring position, but his shot struck the cross bar.
The next good chance fell to the Midlands men, ten minutes before half-time, as Darren Coles cut inside to create a good chance only to shoot straight at keeper Ashley.
The second half was far less dynamic or eventful and there were few chances at either end.
Extra-time followed and the Southern side were just the better team. They even had opportunities to avoid the lottery of a shoot-out as substitute Chris Rose shot just wide after a great work and a fine pass from the by-line from Alex Ewin.
That man Ewin then seemed set to score the winner in the closing moments only for two Midlands defenders to combine and clear his shot off the line.
Then it was down to which set of players could hold their nerve and show the greatest skill under the Coventry floodlights.
And that was when Ashley and Haynes became the heroes of the night. Manager Bob Leeds said: “I’m delighted for the players. It is never nice winning penalties, but I’ll take it.”