by JOHN CAMPANY

GAS Recreation defeated AFC Sudbury in the Essex and Suffolk Border League's Knockout Cup after an incident-packed final at Brantham Leisure Centre.

In front of a decent crowd, the 2-1 scoreline hardly did justice to the division two side who, for the most part, were by far the better side.

However, they were thwarted by their own inability to take chances and frustrated by an inspired man-of-the-match goalkeeping display by Daniel Beeson.

The premier division side, who only narrowly beat Brantham Reserves on penalties in the semi-final, had two players sent off - Ryan Dale and Luke Taylor.

The academy side, who won the Tommy Thompson Cup two weeks earlier and had beaten premier division team Lawford Lads 6-0 in their semi-final, could only blame themselves after spurning good chances in a one-sided second half.

However, Gas deserved credit for displaying resilience in fending off the youngsters in an elongated finale and, at the final whistle, the Bromley Road boys showed their relief and celebrated in style.

For Sudbury supporters and neutrals in the crowd, there could only be commiserations after such a classy performance.

For Gas, Scott Page rolled back the years with a well-taken header and the tireless John Bulmer added the second, while the pick of the goals came from a superbly-rehearsed Sudbury free-kick culminating in Fred King sending a fierce shot beyond Beeson.

League chairman Brian Tatum presented the cup to the victors, together with the premiership trophy, to conclude another very successful season for the Border League’s most successful club.

In division two, Mersea Island defeated Cavendish 2-1, leaving one outstanding match.

On Tuesday, AFC Sudbury A travel to the The Keith Bigden Memorial Ground to play Hatfield Peverel Reserves.

A win will secure Sudbury runners-up spot in division two.

The season’s roll of honour concludes as follows: Premier division champions – Gas Recreation; First division winners – Flitch United; Second division winners – Stanway Pegasus; Third division winners - Gosfield United; Knockout Cup winners – Gas Recreation; Tommy Thompson Cup – AFC Sudbury A; Reserve Cup – Great Bentley Reserves.

Results: Knockout Cup final: Gas Recreation 2 AFC Sudbury A 1 (played at Brantham).

Division two: Mersea Island 2 Cavendish 1.