Sun Postal Sports 0 Bedmond Social 1                 Aubrey Cup Final                1999/2000

Bedmond sink Sun to lift Aubrey after 20 year wait

Jubilant Bedmond Sports & Social ended a two decade wait when they lifted the Aubrey Cup on Monday.
Bedmond last won the cup in 1980/81, but have been unable to repeat the feat until this year when they defeated Premier Division rival in a tight game at Baldock Town.
It could be the first of a double for Bedmond - they contest the final of the Cherry Red Books Capital Counties Feeder League's Trophy on Saturday, May 13.
"The Aubrey Cup has become like the Holy grail for the club, so I am well pleased," said boss Chris Godman. "We have been trying to win it for 20 years."
"We lost in the final to Leavesden in 1984 and I have lost in eight semi finals since then. With all the club's success in the 80's, the Aubrey Cup eluded us."
"We were the better side for 70 minutes, but we were put under some pressure in the last 20 minutes. Everyone did well, particularly the keeper, defence and midfield, with Mark Campion playing very well."
Chances were few in a first half played largely in midfield and slightly edged by Bedmond in terms of possession.
Bedmond created a few half chances, notable when John Dugdale and Nick Jones combined on the right, setting up Richard Johnson whose shot was blocked.
Then Marc Fryer's free kick was headed wide of the post by Mark Campion and, just before the break, Matt Bowen fired a shot over the crossbar.
Sun came out in the second half, looking fired up from a half time rollicking and, almost immediately, carl Bull crossed for Michael Woolner, but his shot was straight at Bedmond's impressive keeper Andy Hopping.
After 51 minutes, Bedmond came close when Bowen fired an excellent cross into the box which flashed by the far post, needing only a touch from the lingering Fryer and Jones.
But, two minutes later, they were ahead through a set piece.
Matt Bowen fired a beautifully struck free kick into the top corner to finally break the deadlock.
For 15 more minutes, Bedmond threatened to extend their advantage.
Substitute Leigh Edmunds hit a shot on the turn, then Bowen fired a long ball into the danger area with Glynn Spurr's attempted overhead kick going wide.
Bowen had another shot blocked, hitting the rebound over the crossbar.
Then, on 73 minutes, Sun thought they had levelled when ben Cowen headed home following a goalmouth scramble.
But celebrations soon turned sour when an assistant referee flagged for a handball.
However, the setback seemed to spur the trailing team on and they subjected Bedmond to attack after attack in the final minutes.
Kingshot stepped up his game and was a constant threat to the Bedmond keeper.
After 80 minutes, Kingshot fired an acute angled shot from the right to produce a tremendous save by Hopping, who turned the ball around the post for a corner.
Then Tony Masters, who worked hard and showed good skills, flicked the ball on for Cowen whose lofted shot was caught by Hopping.
Perhaps Sun came closest to an equaliser when yet another shot by Kingshot was well parried, with the rebound falling for Michael Woolner whose spectacular overhead was blocked.
During six minutes of injury time, Kingshot's cross was touched wide of the post by Michael Woolner and Kingshot again shot wide of the goal.
"We didn't perform for a large part of the game and we are capable of more," said Sun's Terry Hows.
"The midfield and forwards were disappointing. Daryl Kingshot was probably our best player, but Bedmond worked hard for the win."

Sun Postal Sports: Bartley, Tyers, Brown, Kingshot, McLaren, Masters, Wood, Catlin, Bull, M Woolner, Cowen.
Subs: Walker, Gladdy, Gallagher, S Woolner, Hewitt.