Masters Cup glory in East of England Championships.

Masters Cup glory in East of England Championships.

The Masters travelled with a small but confident squad to play in the East of England Masters Championships at Bedford.

In Saints group were old 2013/14 cup run adversaries Luton and Witham, games were to be 2 half of 25 minutes.

First up were Luton, the game was initially a  cagey affair however Saints got on top creating good chances for the forwards, could they create enough chances for “hot shot Fidler” to get a shot on target, unfortunately not.

In the second half the defence playing with class and calmness took attack into their own hands and Sean Elliott started and finished the move that gave Saints the goal to seal the victory midway through the half.

Saints had a break, giving us time for our legs to stiffen before we sued Witham knowing a draw would see us qualify as group winners.

Remarkably Trev Fidler scored a goal when he was set up in the D by good work from Pete Ellis and Craig McIntyre. Saints dominated the game however Witham got s shot corner on the final whistle which somehow squirmed over the line  to make the final score 1.1.

Into the semis and after a lunch of chilli concarne Saints prepared to play Pelicans of Kings Lynn in a 20 minute one way game. Saints dominated scoring 2 goals through Pete Ellis and Craig McIntyre and the defence of Carter, Hawkins, Parker and Elliott sniffing out any Penguins attack before they got into the attacking third of the pitch.

Final score 2.0 to Saints

The final beckoned against Luton ( who had beaten Cambridge City on flicks).

Saints had lost Jonny Noble for the final due to a previously arranged commitment but the team was confident and had Del Bowie on the sideline supporting and ready to play if required.

Saints again had all of the possession and hit the post twice from separate short corners and despite continual pressure could not get the all important winning goal, hence to the dreaded penalty flicks.

Up stepped the Penalty team of Carter, Elliott, Ellis, McIntyre and Knight who gave Saints the cup, Knight having the satisfaction of scoring the final penalty against a keeper who’s sabre rattling antics during the flicks was something to behold.