Cup of joy for Watlington SSC footballers

Watlington SSC marked their first-ever season in the Anglian Combination with some silverware as they lifted the CS Morley Cup on Thursday night.

A brace from Ben Baxter Hunt and a Jess Tierney goal saw the Division Five side stun higher-league Tacolneston 3-1 at the Football Development Centre.

Manager Andy Brydon said: “Coming into the season our main aim was to try and gain promotion and whatever come thereafter would be a bonus.

“To reach the Junior Cup semi final and be able to even take part in the CS Morley Cup final was massive for us and something we didn’t expect.

“We knew coming into the game that we would have to be at our very best against opposition looking likely to gain promotion from the league above.

“From the first minute to the last the boys’ application, attitude and work rate was at the highest level.

“That mixed in with the more than 200 spectators who followed us to the FDC made it a very special night for us.”

After an even opening 15 minutes the tie was turned on its head by three goals in the space of seven minutes.

Former Downham Town frontman Baxter Hunt created space and chipped the Tacolneston goalkeeper from 20 yards to put Watlington 1-0 up.

Tacolneston were back on level terms less than three minutes later as a low cross was converted by their striker.

Underdogs Watlington regained the lead in the 25th minute as Baxter Hunt capitalised on a poor clearance from the goalkeeper to put his side 2-1 in front.

Ten minutes after the interval, Watlington gave themselves some breathing space as man-of-the-match Baxter Hunt combined with Dan Harpley for Jesse Tierney to tap home a third.

The West Norfolk side were reduced to ten men for the final 20 minutes after Rob Johansen received a straight red card for a professional foul.

But Watlington’s defence remained compact for the remainder of the tie to cue memorable celebrations from the 200 travelling fans on the final whistle.

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