The Chris Payne Trophy Final
AFC Belgrave
v
Padbury United Reserves

Sunday 22nd April 2007
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AFC Belgrave

Padbury United Reserves

Padbury United’s Sunday Reserve side can count themselves very unlucky in this season’s Chris Payne Trophy Final played at Aston Clinton Park on Sunday.  After taking the lead in extra time, the game turned on a penalty which provided the impetus for their opponents AFC Belgrave 06 to run out winners.

The early exchanges in the first half saw veteran striker Stefan Wilson create a number of openings for his strike partner Sam North.  After Matt Nicholls had saved North’s dipping volley, the resulting corner allowed Adam Fowler to open the scoring for Belgrave on 18 minutes.  Padbury rallied well after going behind and Matt Marsden’s opportunist shot from edge of the penalty area leveled things up in the 36^th minute after Chris Cox failed to properly clear a cross from the right.

Few chances were created in the second half but the best chance fell to Belgrave’s Andy George whose hard rising shot was palmed away by Nicholls.

The extra time period was only five minutes old when Padbury’s James Hayne headed home after a precision free kick from the right.

Belgrave’s response was immediate and Wilson very nearly got his side back on level terms as he just failed to tap home a high ball in the penalty box as the Padbury defence froze.

The game turned, however, in the second extra time period as Wilson was brought down when he cut between two defenders in the penalty area.  Kevin Walsh neatly slotted home the resulting penalty kick.

Belgrave now sensed their chance and with seven minutes remaining Adam Fowler arrived at the right time to head home from a corner as the Padbury defence looked on.  Fowler was duly judged as the Man of the Match for his two goals and all round play.

The trophy and medals were presented to the players and officials by Tom Munt, President of the Aylesbury & District Referees Association.

AFC Belgrave 06: Cox, Davis, Gunn (Croston), Fowler, K. Cheung, K. Walsh, L. Walsh, George, North, Wilson, H. Cheung (Floutier)

Padbury United Reserves: Nicholls, Collier (Russell), L. Hayne, O’Dell, Cooney, Rumble, Brunning, Marsden, Wilkins (Chaplin), J. Hayne, Russell (Townsend)

Report by Bob Walter

Today's venue, Aston Clinton Park with RAF Halton in the background.
Our hosts, Aston Clinton FC put on a great show for us and with cup final venues in short supply this season, The Management Committee are very grateful to them for allowing us the use of their excellent facilities.

AFC Belgrave's Andrew George.

After a quiet opening to the game, AFC Belgrave's Adam Fowler crept in at the far post to give his side the lead on 18 minutes.

Probably the leagues youngest ever Cup Final Referee.
20 year old Ezra O'Neill.

Padbury's Matt Marsden's shot was too quick for the keeper and for me too as he makes it all square on 36 minutes.

Brothers Liam and Kevin Walsh in action for AFC Belgrave today.

Despite the efforts of the Belgrave keeper, Padbury's James Hayne makes it 2-1 in extra time.

AFC Belgrave skipper Tom Davies.

A great save for the camera my friend!
The acrobatic Matt Nicholls.

I don't think the Padbury player behind the goal was trying to put the penalty taker off!!
If he was, it didn't work as Kevin Walsh levels thing from the spot.

With penalties looming, Adam Fowler's header wins it for AFC Belgrave.

Man of the Match (Sponsored by Folkspur Flooring of Aylesbury).
AFC Belgrave's Adam Fowler.

AFC Belgrave's Stefan Wilson collects the trophy from Aylesbury & District RA President Tom Munt.

Winners of The Chris Payne Trophy 2006/2007.
AFC Belgrave.