The SAL had a nightmare start, conceding a penalty after just four minutes as keeper Dan Ashley was adjudged to have brought down Midland Combination striker Kevin Brookes, who had broken free following a defensive mistake, to allow Karl Fellows to coolly slot the ball in to the corner of the net. But they managed to maintain their composure and within two minutes drew level as Chris Shaw and Mark Henry combined well along the left flank to create space for Nathan Violet to send a pin point cross on to the head of Nick Haynes who made no mistake from seven yards.
Haynes was unlucky not to put his side in the lead soon after, when his lob beat the keeper but rebounded off the bar into safety. The SAL were now playing their best football and should have taken advantage of their superiority, but a combination of poor finishing and the agility of Midland keeper Neil Leech kept the scores level as the teams went in at half time.
The second period was more even in terms of possession, but it was again the SAL who saw a number of chances go begging. Alex Ewin came close, his snap shot looking to have beat Leech only for him to stick out an arm and tip the ball round the post. Minutes later a flowing move involving several passes ended with Violet crossing in to the path of Mark Henry who must have thought that his header was in, but once again Leech was on hand to stop the ball on the line. Soon after substitute Chris Rose also saw his left foot shot skim the upright following a good cross from Ewin. Then with minutes left in normal time, Ewin again lost his marker and must have felt that he had put his team ahead as his lob over the defence was agonisingly cleared off the line by two defenders.
When the MCL did manage to set up an attack, they were comfortably dealt with by Neil Currie & skipper James Ayres who were magnificent throughout.
Extra time saw two tired sides throwing everything at each other in an effort to avoid the lottery of penalties, and it was the Midland Combination who came closest when following a corner a shot from the edge of the box looked goal bound, until Dan Ashley finger tips kept the scores level.
Alex Ewin was first up for the SAL and justified his confidence to go first, sending an unstoppable effort in to the corner. Confidence became infectious as Dan Ashley dived full length to his right to firmly palm the ball out and put the SAL into the driving seat 1-0
Up stepped Nathan Violet, whose left foot shot sent the keeper the wrong way 2-0. The MCL second penalty was duly dispatched 2-1
Chris Rose took penalty number 3 and although his shot was firmly struck, keeper Neil Leech managed to get a hand to it and keep it out. The midland Combination’s 3rd penalty was saved low down by Ashley 2-1
Penalty number 4 for the SAL was reserved for SAL keeper Ashley who absolutely made no mistake, firing the ball past Leech with aplomb 3-1.
Penalty number 4 for the MCL was also scored 3-2.
For the final penalty, Nick Haynes confidently smashed the ball high into the net to send the SAL team and supporters into raptures 4-2.
The FA Carlsberg National League Systems Cup and Medals were presented to the teams by Barry Bright FA Vice Chairman and Brian Walden FA Chairman of the Leagues committee. The Carlsberg man of the match award went to MCL keeper Neil Leech.
The Southern Amateur League will now go on to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Turin during October, where they will meet, Italy, Republic of Ireland & Scotland.
Squad;
Dan Ashley (Norsemen) Matt Kerr (Nottsborough) Neil Currie (West Wickham) James Ayres (Old Salesians) capt, Chris Shaw (Old Salesians) Chris Kerr (Nottsborough) Mark Henry (Old Finchleians) Michael Ayres (Old Salesians) Nathan Violet (Nottsborough) Alex Ewin (Nottsborough) Nick Haynes (Old Salesians) Adam Freeman (West Wickham) Chris Rose (West Wickham) Andrew Diston (Old Finchleians) Oz Akkaya (Old Wilsonians) Nick Stavri (Nottsborough)
Match officials Mr D.Mohareb (Cheshire FA) Mr J.Knowles (West Riding FA) Mr R. Mackay (Bedfordshire FA) & Mr J.Adcock (Derbyshire FA)