Caribbean Cavaliers 2-2 Huck Rolls Leisure

Thursday 20th May 2010 -- NSL Senior Cup Final - Cavs win 4-3 on penalties after exta time.

Our final game of the season - the short journey to the Eagle Valley home of Arnold Town FC, to see Caribbean Cavaliers take on Hucknall Rolls Leisure in the NSL Senior Cup Final.

Turned out to be a very good evening, even though it was extended due to the teams needing extra time and penalties to seperate them, and I was feeling a bit rough....

For me and Kev this was more of a social occasion, and we spent a lot of the game in the company of friends we have made over the last few years.

Referee Rob Townsend, Notts F.A's Mick Kilbee, Hucknall Town Chairman Dave Gamble, fellow bloggist Adam Barlow, 2 x Peter Craggs, "wanderer" Richard Lane, physio Fred Kirk, journalist Brian Dennett, Linby CW striker Jonny Scott and former Hucknall Town, now Worksop Town midfielder Deon Meikle. We have known Deon for a few years now, since his days with the Eastwood Town Academy. Many thanks for the photo opportunity Deon!!

Yours truly and Deon Meikle

I also finally took possession of Roger Rann's two books " Kings Of The Recs" and "When Mary's Were Kings"......books charting the history of football in Arnold - looking forward to reading these over the next few football free weeks!

Most of the Rolls players were just back from a short break in Benidorm, and for a while it showed! They looked a little sluggish and offered little up front. Rolls were lucky that Referee Colin White waved away what looked like a certain penalty for Cavs on 34, but when Mr. White awarded Cavs a free-kick five minutes later, Tom Simpson smashed the ball goalwards. With Rolls keeper Neil Waters seemingly well positioned to save, the ball deflected off the head of defender Richard Harrison, hit the inside of the post and nestled in the back of the net! H-T 1-0

Rolls had struggled with just Andy Start up top, but the introduction of 19 year-old Harry Allen as his strike partner changed the game dramatically. The youngster levelled the scores on 80 after the ball fell kindly to him six yards out. F-T 1-1

Cavs sub Ryan Perkins lit up the game in the 98th minute, rounding Waters before taking his time to line up a shot that dissected the two defenders who were covering the line. With full time looming it was that man Allen again who once again levelled the scores, latching on to a long punt forward before chipping Cav keeper Dave Martt from the edge of the box. F-T 2-2

Although Harrison missed Rolls' first spot kick, they went 3-2 up and just needed skipper Jonathan Wass to convert to give them the trophy. He missed and Perkins stepped up to make it 3-3. Jonathan Dakers then missed for Rolls, but Cavs Robert Bolton smashed home his kick to give them the victory.

Admission £3 ( inc programme)

Attendance - given out as 190 + children

Season tally -- games 109 with goals 393 at an average of 3.6055 per game

On The Road will be back next season - blog already sorted !!