Elias the hero in Skennie cup win (From Free Press Series)

Elias the hero in Skennie cup win

Ross Cup Final: Skenfrith United 4 Western 3

THE tiny village of Skenfrith will never forget Easter Bank Holiday Monday. In fact don't be surprised if some of the locals are writing letters to the Prime Minister calling for local footballer David Elias to be given a Knighthood.

After all he did come of the bench with an injured knee to score the winning hat trick in Monday's Ross Cup final.

The tough midfielder didn't even want to play in Skennie's fourth cup final in four years after hurting his knee in a previous game. But when Andrew Morris was forced off the field with an ankle injury Elias pushed himself past the pain barrier to score one of the most memorable hat tricks in local football history.

United were dead and buried when Morris went off with just 25 minutes left. Trailing 3-0 against a young and skilled Western side humiliation was staring them bleakly in the face.

Anthony Wigmore's goal offered them hope, but not enough to spark a comeback surely?

Arise Sir Elias. Three brilliant goals saw the injured star single handily turn the tables on a cocky Western side and gift Skenfrith United the cup for the second time in four years.

Player-manager Paul Brown set Elias up for two of his goals with a brace of neatly placed through balls, while striker Darren Bontej assisted him with his third again with a perfectly placed pass.

It was Elias though who had to beat the keeper with an injured knee bursting with pain and he did so with some style.

No prizes then for guessing who bagged the man of the match award as well?

"It was a tremendous performance," praised Brown. "He showed some great skill out there and was absolutely brilliant. When we were 3-0 down just after half time I thought that's it, but somehow the boys never let their heads slip. I'm truly proud of them. To show determination like they did was amazing."

United came into the game after beating Civil Service 1-0 in their last home league match on Saturday. Brown admitted that coupled with the wrong formation early on cost them the early advantage.

"I think we were tired after playing a game two days earlier and we took our time to get into the pace of the match. Maybe we should have played with four at the back from the start too instead of a 3-5-2 formation," he said.

A few minor adjustments to the side saw United gain some control, but it wasn't until Elias came on that they tightened the loose around Western's necks.

"I think they were a bit too arrogant. Really they had the upper hand, but didn't wrap us up. They failed to contain us and we made them pay.

"We're pleased to bits to win the cup. It caps a great season for us and the lads deserve nothing less," said Brown.

Skenfrith United's next game is away to Kingston a week Saturday.