CCL Centenary Cup Final

Sudbrook CC 1 Portskewett & Sudbrook 2 (aet) 1-1 90 minutes.

A FINE penalty save by young goalkeeper Declan Hubbard earned Port & Sud their first silverware for 12 years at a wet and windy Jubilee Way on Friday, writes Bob Cypher.

The 17-year-old keeper was mobbed by his teammates after pulling off the save in the second period of extra time and was cheered from the pitch at the final whistle.

Sudbrook, who lifted the Fishwick Cup earlier in the month, started as favourites despite being without key players like Rob Thorn and Chris and Steve Phillips.

So when former GB middle-distance runner Stephen Davies showed he still has a lot of pace to put Sudbrook ahead in the first half, their opponents had a mountain to climb.

But Port & Sud dug in and created their own chances with Tyler Shefford firing the equaliser in the second half.

The same player sent his teammates wild when he put them ahead in the first period of extra time before the penalty was awarded for handball.

Tom Knight’s kick was well struck but Hubbard was able to keep it out.

As delighted player-coach Mike Panacci explained later, the players had been practising taking penalties during training sessions ahead of the final.

“Declan was frustrated that he wasn’t saving many, but then he pulls off a great save in extra time in a cup final - you would not have been able to write anything better,” he said.

“Steve Lovell again showed how much of a good team player and a great captain he is and Scott Lovell deserved his Man of the Match award.

“It was a tough game and both teams looked tactically well organised and disciplined.

“We always thought if we could get the ball wide into the channels we would cause them problems, which turned out to be the case.

“Having a striker of Tyler Shefford’s quality who is able to hold the ball up and apply a calm finish is a devastating gift and Andrew Beames, with his electric pace throughout, had a massive impact.”