Sun Sports 2 Kendal Albion 1          Parry Trophies Challenge Cup Final         1994/95

Nine man Sun Sports pull off famous challenge Cup shock

Second Division Sun Sports overcame the handicap of having two players sent off to upset Premier Division Kendal Albion in the final of the Parry Trophies Challenge Cup.
Sun showed great endeavour during normal time but it seemed that they had lost their chance when Steve Pearson was sent off after a clash with Kendal's Nick Read.
What was a forearm lashed out in frustration was interpreted by referee Nigel Rothband as violent conduct and Pearson was consequently dismissed in line with the rules but somewhat harshly in comparison to what seems to pass in the Premiership.
However, neither Sun's Andy Cook, who had returned from service in Germany to play in the game, or Kendal's Ben Weavers could have any complaint when they were sent off for fighting eight minutes into the first period of extra time.
Nevertheless, Sun persevered when many spoke of how tough it was going to be for them in extra time after neither side seemed prepared to seal the tie, missing a number of gilt edged chances.
from the first whistle the game was played at a frantic pace and Sun looked to have settled quicker despite Kendal having the better chances.
Paul Gash was unable to divert a cross in after 14 minutes with the goal at his mercy following a flowing Albion moved down the right wing.
Moments later, Andy Meade went close but Sun keeper Trevor Turnbull was equal to his 25 yard free kick as he was to numerous efforts in the first half which did not cause him to stretch.
Much of Sun's play was directed at the height of Cook, but it was ironic that the goalscoring success came after he had been dismissed.
However, he caused problems and both Sammy Lloyd and man of the match Paul Jordan impressed without being able to effect the scoresheet.
A 40th minute effort from Cook which struck his own player seemed to sum up the fortunes of both sides in what was an entertaining but unproductive first 45 minutes.
The second half started at the same tempo as Jason Savage missed an excellent chance to put Sun ahead just into the half but the ball hit him as he tried to make a meaningful effort and fell comfortably to Kendal keeper Nick Lawson.
Sun were acquitting themselves particularly well but the killer pass was lacking in the final third of the field.
Extra time certainly looked on the cards from a reasonably early stage as both keepers saved all that was hit at them without being called to do anything outstanding.
The nearest Kendal came to breaking the deadlock was in the 74th minute.
Andy Meade did well to progress down the right and troubled Turnbull, who had been sound on crosses all morning, with a tantalising cross right under the bar.
However, Gash was unable to capitalise and the ball squirmed away.
It seemed that something out of the ordinary would settle the game and it looked as if Sun had wasted all their good work when Pearson was dismissed.
The central defender had pushed into attack and when under challenge from Nick Read, who was booked for his part, there was a reaction of surprise as the card shown was red instead of yellow.
Extra time duly arrived and one wondered if Sun would settle for penalties, especially as Cook was repositioned to use his height in keeping the ball out as he went to plug-up the defence.
However, all doubts were answered three minutes into extra time when the first goal finally arrived.
Jordan began to buzz and found space on the right wing, leaving trailing Kendal legs in his wake as his pace allowed him to get to the by-line.
His centre was precise and fell to Kevin Durrant, who did not delay in smashing the ball home from six yards.
The Sun bench broke out in delirium and Kendal's heads dropped.
It looked as if Sun certainly wanted to win the game more, and it was only a question of how long they could last a man down.
However, minutes later, ten against eleven became nine against ten as a fight broke out between Weavers and Cook which predictably soon involved most of the players on the pitch.
Both were eventually dismissed, quite rightly, and there was no doubt that Kendal suffered more from the decision as they seemed to all but give up hope.
Nevertheless, Gash and Nick Read both went close towards the end of the first half but seemed to be handed a lifeline a minute into the second period.
Turnbull managed to get a hand to a cross but the ball dropped to Steve Alderman, who, with the goal at his mercy, crashed the ball against the crossbar.
At the other end, Jordan cracked a left foot shot against the post but was more precise with a second effort.
Faced by two defenders, his speed gave him a shooting opportunity and he took it graciously, giving Lawson no chance with a dipping shot.
In defence of their two goal lead, Turnbull was inspired as he claimed everything he went for.
However, he was given no chance when Nick Read headed home a free kick from close range, but for Kendal, it had come too late.
Kendal player-manager Stuart Read said: "There was no doubt that they were the better side and thoroughly deserved to win."
Sun manager Brian Lloyd was predictably delighted that his team had produced one of the shocks of the season.
"Paul Jordan was superb up front and his pace caused them all sorts of problems but I'm particularly pleased for the more senior players. Trevor Turnbull and John Duncombe have played for many seasons and they really deserves this success, " he said.

Sun Sports: Turnbull, Scrutton, Roy, Duncombe, Pearson, Porter, Lloyd, Durrant, Jordan, Savage, Cook   Subs: Bell for Lloyd, Parry Jones for Roy