Marstons blast four to lift Cup
MARSTONS lifted the Burton & District Junior Challenge Cup after racing to a 4-0 lead in the final against Stapenhill.
Doubles from David Sutton and Jon Carpenter saw them in control before late goals from Chad Cauldwell and Cameron Savory made the scoreline more respectable.
Stapenhill started well enough, with an Adam Williams free kick causing problems in the box before it was cleared.
Sutton and Lee Potts combined to give Tom Merry a chance for Marstons but his shot was blocked, then a vicious cross shot from Carpenter was deflected wide.
Marstons keeper Sam Merry made a terrific save to deny Savory and, at the other end, Stapenhill keeper Ashley Turnbull tipped over a deep cross from Carpenter.
Moments later he also saved from Travis Lake.
It was still anybody’s game at this stage, as Stapenhill hit back with Paul Hale heading a corner wide and a wicked cross from Savory just needing a touch.
Merry also beat out a close-range effort from Cauldwell.
However, Marstons broke through with the last action of the first half as Sutton chased down a long goal kick and lobbed the advancing Turnbull.
How different the result might have been if Stapenhill had not missed a penalty seconds after the break.
Tom Merry brought down Cauldwell but Williams missed from the spot and, within a few minutes, it was 3-0 to Marston’s.
Carpenter beat the offside trap and fired a shot past Turnbull after 52 minutes and, immediately after that, a long-range shot from Sutton dropped over Turnbull’s head and into the net.
Stapenhill kept going, seeing a cross bounce off the bar before Merry beat out a shot from Savory.
However, it was 4-0 after 71 minutes, Carpenter scoring at the third attempt after Turnbull made two fine reaction saves.
Finally, Cauldwell went clear and found the bottom corner to put Stapenhill on the board and, in the last minute, Savory chased a long ball and lobbed Merry to make it 4-2.
The game ended on a bad-tempered note, Marstons defender Craig Newbold being sent off for a headbutt on Cauldwell.