Review of first cup final weekend

The last Sunday of April signified the start of the cup final season as  the first three finals came to a conclusion at Thurrock FC's Ship Lane ground on Sunday,.

First up were Coral and Chingford Celtics who were battling for the coveted Corinthian Cup. Both sides had eliminated Premier Division outfits along the way and therefore, with little to seperate them in the Division One title race, this was sure to be a tight affair. 

Two goalless halves of football where neither side did enough to win nor lose saw the first final of the day head into extra time. The extra 30 minutes didn't provide us with a goal and a penalty shootout was necessary to divide the sides. Coral just edged the shootout to lift the Corinthian Cup

Watch the final penalty:

Cup final number 2 of the day between Newham United and Warren United was just as tightly contested as the sides battled to lift the Trophyland Cup. There were plenty of goals in this one as the sides were locked at 2-2 heading into the final period of the game but, alas, Warren United struck twice late on to lift the trophy!

The third and final cup final was between ex-Corinthian side Valiant and current Corinthian side West Thurrock in the final of the West Essex Sunday Charity Cup. A good crowd formed for this evening kick off at a now chilly Thurrock F.C. with West Thurrock looking to win the crown for the first time against defending champions Valiant.

Valiant struck early from the penalty spot and defended well in the first 45. West Thurrock raised themselves in the second half and looked the more likely but were not able to breach the Valiant defence until a terrific free kick was scored late on forcing the game into extra time. We then witnessed the goal of the season; a fantastic strike from fully 35 yards out into the top corner leaving the Valiant keeper stranded. A 3rd goal on the counter attack late on sealed the game for West Thurrock.

Lets hope for some similar dramas next Sunday!!