Sun Sports 1 St Margaretsbury 3                         1969/70                        Aubrey Cup Semi Final

Brothers plague Sports

Sun Sports' manager Geoff Fowler summed up Saturday's Aubrey Cup semi-final at Bellmountwood Avenue by saying, "If you hit the woodwork five times in 30 minutes and still fail to score, luck is just not on your side."
Certainly good fortune eluded Sun who knocked on wood that number of times between the 35th and 65th minutes, but praise must go to Division One St Margaretsbury, who were inspired by Francis Brothers, Alan and Phil.
After 30 minutes the 150 spectators at Bellmountwood Avenue were shocked when 'Bury centre forward Phil hit the post with a free kick and Kitteringham followed up to score.
Three minutes later referee Priest awarded a dubious penalty when Phil Francis was brought down and Smith performed the penalty ritual.
After the break the Francis duo continued to plague Sports yet the Premier Division side supplied most of the attacking until the brothers combined in a breakaway which ended with Phil beating goalkeeper Jim Chamberlain after 63 minutes.
With 15 minutes remaining Sun's hopes of an all Watford final with Leggatt s Way were killed when Alan Francis fired in a low shot.
In the closing minutes Colin Brown, Barry Langdale and Eddie Rolfe all tested the visiting goalkeeper before Brian Smith found the net for Sun's belated reply.