Trade Mark Collections East Cheshire Football League

4:03pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

Inter-League Cup Final AFTER missing out in the Subsidiary Cup, Mary Dendy deservedly secured their first trophy in seven seasons after defeating Bentley from the Crewe and District league in a tight game at the Cumberland Arena, Crewe.

In glorious sunshine Bentley had the better of the opening minutes but once Dendy switched to a more tight passing game they began to make inroads.

On 22 minutes Matty Morris gave Dendy the lead. Collecting the ball 25 yards out he ran at the Bentley defence, finally unleashing a thunderous shot which gave the keeper no chance. Dendy's advantage lasted only eight minutes as back came Bentley with a spectacular strike of their own, Anthony Tinsley curling a shot past Stuart Davies that went in off the post.

The second half followed a similar pattern, very tight with few chances for either side. Things changed on 74 minutes when Gareth Worrall, who had been cautioned for a foul minutes earlier, was given a second yellow by referee Temmen and sent off.

That put Dendy under pressure and, with several players going down with cramp, gave the advantage to Bentley. Centre half Chris Shepherd was superb marshalling the defence and Paul Cronshaw dropped back to assist from midfield. As always Will Tolley worked tirelessly up front.

With no further goals after 90 minutes the game went into extra time and with both teams struggling with fitness the game almost inevitably went to a penalty shoot-out. Matty Morris confidently despatched the first and goalkeeper Stuart Davies immediately gave Dendy the advantage, comfortably saving Bentley's first spot kick. Paul Cronshaw made it 2-0 and when Bentley's second effort was scuffed wide of the goal it meant if Dendy scored again and Bentley missed, the cup was theirs. Up stepped substitute Gary Burns to make no mistake. It was all too much for Bentley who skied their penalty over the bar to trigger wild celebrations from the victorious Dendy team.

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