Ams break new ground
SOUTHPORT and Ainsdale Amateurs Sunday first team became the first side from Southport to win the prestigious Lancashire FA Sunday Trophy.
They won the competition classed as the Holy Grail amongst teams from Lancashire last Wednesday beating Crown Paints from Blackburn.
Since 2012 Southport and Ainsdale Amateurs have won three Southport and District Premier Division titles but this triumph eclipses all of them.
To the reach the final which was held at the County Ground Leyland they had to beat top sides from Blackpool, Blackburn and Accrington.
The semi-final proved their toughest test though when they came up against The Hares from Skelmersdale. They produced a wonderful second half performance to beat The Hares 4-3 at Skelmersdale FC at the start of March.
The final saw them play unbeaten Blackburn side Crown Paints who have a side made up of semi-pro players from AFC Darwen, Colne and Nelson, a far higher standard than what S&A usually play against. The game played in front of a big crowd at the Lancashire FA saw S&A take the lead in the first half thanks to a header from Kristian Solaru via a Daniel Boden free-kick.
Crown Paints, with all of their experience, levelled ten minutes after the break.
Amateurs showed huge character and soon re-took the lead when George Wall played a brilliant through ball to Kev Edgar who headed home. Drama was to follow though when Crown Paints levelled again with 14 minutes remaining and then took the lead via a brilliant finish in the 82nd minute.
S&A had to dig deep on an energy sapping pitch and took the game to penalties when Kev Edgar put in a great cross for George Wall to pop up and score with only minutes left.
Penalties saw keeper Tom Corbett prove to be the hero, saving a vital spot kick and it was left to Rob Lamont to score with the winning kick to send his team mates wild with delight.
A brilliant achievement for all involved in the club and an emotional night for coach Gareth Jones who has run the team for the last 17 years. The Saturday first team now have a chance of making it an historic double when they play their Saturday Lancashire Amateur Cup final in May.