Saxons prove spot-on in final

Weeting Saxons triumphed in the North West Norfolk League’ League Cup Division Two Cup at the second time of asking after holding their nerve from the penalty spot last Friday.

Saxons won 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 90 minutes had finished all-square at 3-3 after Gayton Old Boys forced their way back into the tie after being three goals down.

Weeting had been on this stage before but lost out to Heacham Social Club two seasons ago, whereas Gayton Old Boys were making their bow in the showpiece in their first season as a club.

Old Boys had the first chance of the game as Isaac Bloodworth was presented with a shot from the edge of the area, only for it to narrowly pass the wrong side of the bottom corner.

Shortly after, man-of-the-Match Lewis Steggles had the first chance for Weeting and his volley from the edge of the area looked destined for the top corner.

The opposing goalkeeper Will Chandler had other ideas as his acrobatic save tipped the ball round the post for a corner.

From the resulting corner Conney Killick lost his marker and his glancing penalty spot header found the far corner to put Weeting a goal to the good.

With the Old boys finding themselves 1-0 down, the last thing they needed was a defensive mix-up which presented Lewis Steggles the chance to double Weeting’s lead – and he did just that.

His early-struck shot nestled in the bottom corner beyond an outstretched Chandler.

Ten minutes later, it was dream land for Saxons as Steggles was on hand to put them 3-0 to the good.

A teammate’s shot struck the bar but a composed and well-taken finish ensured they went into a resounding lead.

As half-time approached, it went from bad to worse for Old Boys as Richard Cuncliffe was sent to the Sin Bin by referee James Durham, which would mean playing 10 minutes with a man down.

The second half started in quick fashion and on the 49th minute, Gayton Old Boys were handed a chance to start their comeback when Durham pointed to the penalty spot.

Chris Smith stepped up, only to see his kick fly over the bar and out of the ground.

The shock of Smith’s miss saw a slow in chances and the size of the Fakenham pitch was starting to take its toll on some players, but with just ten minutes left on the clock Old Boys finally made a breakthrough. Bloodworth struck smartly to bring hope to the many travelling fans.

Less than 60 seconds had passed when this hope started to become reality as Alex Oughton was in the right place at the right time to prod home the second goal in the comeback.

Then two minutes later, the stuff of fairy tale cup finals became reality as the comeback was complete when a Bloodworth thunderbolt was misjudged by Dewing in the Weeting goal.

With just minutes left on the clock, there were chances for either side to the win the game, but none were successfully taken.

Each team struck four perfect penalties which put the pressure on Weeting number seven Jamie Howard, who rose above it to pass the tension to Old Boys’ Michael Rix.

Rix’s poor penalty was saved by Dewing to spark wild celebrations in the Weeting camp.

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