Sun Sports 0 Roussell Sports 3                                      Aubrey Cup Final                            1993/94

Sun find the Aubrey Cup is a bridge too far

Sun Sports chose the Aubrey Cup final to lose their first game for more than three months.
The Herts Senior County League  Premier Division champions for the second year running, had gone through al of February, March and April with a 100 per cent record to overhaul Wormley to lift the title.
And on the last day of April, Sun defeated Roussell 2-0 in the dress rehearsal only to fail in the real thing on Bank Holiday Monday.
And to compound a miserable afternoon for Sun, they had striker Darren Hardwick sent off in the closing stages for a second bookable offence.
For many of the players, it was their third game in as many days at the end of a long, hard season, and the absence of such key players as Phil Walker and Stuart Kent.
Sun created far more chances in the first 45 minutes but still went down into the interval two goals
down.
They gave the impression, however, that an early goal in the second period would open the floodgates and see yet another win for the all conquering Sun side.
It was not to be, however.
Roussell were quite content to sit back after the break, but Sun rarely looked like breaking them down.
In the first period, Sun had caused moments of panic in the Roussell defence by hoisting the ball into the box, but failed to do so with any regularity in the second half.
Roussell had rather fortuitously taken the lead after 10 minutes.
No doubt Phillip Casserley knew what he was doing as he swung in his cross, it caught the wind and flew into the top far corner, giving keeper Trevor Davis no chance.
There was no cause for panic, however, among the Sun ranks and they pressed forward in search of the equaliser with Hardwick heading just wide a cross from the left in the 20th minute.
But although Sun created all the chances, they failed to test Roussell number one Mark Clifford, with Mark Ash and then Hardwick, again, heading high in quick succession.
While Sun pressed forward, Roussell always looked dangerous on the counter and doubled their  lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute.
Again Davis was given little chance as some flat-footed defending allowed Roussell captain Mark Osborne to jink his way through the middle of the area before laying off to the unmarked Keith Telling who had the relatively simple task of shooting home.
The rest of the first half continued much in the same pattern, with Greg Manning coming close for Sun three minutes later, but again failing to find the target.
The Roussell penalty area was leading a charmed life.
From a driven free kick five minutes before the interval, Noel Gallagher headed wide.
Roussell had every reason to be thankful for their half time advantage and every reason to expect a continuation of the onslaught after the break.
It never came, however, as Sun began to lose their way and looked less threatening the longer the game went on.
Within minutes of the restart Noel Gallagher crossed in but, typically, Terry Hows shot wide.
It was Gallagher again who knocked the ball down after 68 minutes but Hardwick shot narrowly wide of the far post.
But as the minutes dragged by, Sun's chances slipped away.
They had a great chance 10 minutes from time when Ash snatched at his chance and, from 15 yards, his effort was hoofed high of the bar.
Everyone now knew that it was just not going to be Sun's day.
Hardwick was given a second yellow card two minutes from time and ironically Sun had their first real attempt on target a minute later, but Ash's effort was saved.
And just to run further salt into the Sun wound and give the final score a top heavy appearance, Telling struck Roussell's third in the final minute from another breakaway.
"We have no excuses," said Sun spokesman Tom Barber.
"We couldn't believe how many chances were put over from set pieces."
"It is obviously very disappointing to have lost, but we would have settled at the beginning of the season at winning the title and making the Aubrey final".

Sun Sports:  Davis, P Gallagher, Jones, N Gallagher, Langdale, McMillan, Hows, Ash, Hardwick, Field, Manning.
Substitutes: Spicer for N Gallagher after 80 minutes, Galvin for Langdale after 44 minutes.

* We were almost unable to provide a report on the above game as a particularly belligerent league official insisted we paid to get in.
Upon informing him that it is common practice to allow the press in without charge he insisted upon proof of identification.
For the FA Cup final I can understand, but would I really try and blag my way into the Aubrey Cup final for the sake of a measly £1?

Sun Sports 2 Croxley Guild 1                                                     HCL Prem                      1993/94

Sun Sports take Title, now for the cup double

After taking fifty years to lift their first Premier Division title, Sun Sports needed just one to take their second.
A 2-1 midweek win over Croxley Guild was enough to clinch the Premier Division championship for the second successive season.
"I am stunned," admitted Sun spokesman Tom Barber afterwards, "We've had five games in eight days and the players are absolutely knackered, but it has been a brilliant achievement."
Sun looked out of it at Christmas with Wormley odds-on favourites.
But a remarkable run has seen them go through three months with a 100 per cent record.
And in their 32 league games this season, they have only conceded 24 goals.
Noel Gallagher headed Sun into an early lead against Croxley on Tuesday night, only to net with a spectacular header at the wrong end to square things up at the break.
Sun moved up a gear after the break with Dougie Taylor scoring the winner.
"It was not a particularly good game," said Barber.
"Both teams were desperate for the points."
Croxley had their chances and twice hit the woodwork.
"I felt we were worth a point," said Guild's Dave Rickman.
Now Sun are looking to complete the double, as they meet Roussell Sports on Bank Holiday Monday in the final of he Aubrey Cup (Met. Police Bushey, kick off 3pm).
Ironically, there will be a dress rehearsal as the two sides meet each other in the league tomorrow.
The previous Thursday, goals from Greg Manning (2) and Taylor had made short work of Colney Heath while on Saturday claimed the vital scalp at title rivals Wormley Rivals to as good as seal the championship.
The 3-0 win over Wormley flattered Sun a little as their hectic schedule showed signs of taking its toll.
Two Mark Ash headers gave Sun the half time lead while substitute Alan Langdale struck the third.
And just to further illustrate Sun's domination of the County League, their reserves are also champions of their division for the second successive season running while also being up for the Reserve Cup.

BAC Stevenage 0 Sun Sports 2                                      HCL Prem                        1993/94

Sun charging towards Premier Title

Sun Sports continued their remarkable charge towards honours with two more victories over the past week.
On Saturday they defeated Elliott Star by the odd goal in three and then on Tuesday night came away from BAC Stevenage with a 2-0 victory.
Sun have now not dropped a single point in the league for almost three months.
The win against Elliott was more comfortable than the score may suggest, with the home side netting their consolation by way of an own goal in the final minute.
Matt Bowen sent Sun on their way in the 35th minute with Noel Gallagher effectively making things safe just past the hour.
Then on Tuesday the same two players were again on target in the comfortable victory over BAC Stevenage.
And Sun's reserve side are just as all conquering as their first team.
The reserves have all but retained their league title while on Saturday they booked themselves a Reserve Cup final showdown with Wormley Reserves, following the 2-0 win over Cuffley Reserves.
Russell Smith gave Sun a seventh minute lead while Jimmy Harrison sealed the game two minutes from time.
Mark Williams was outstanding in the Sun midfield.