S7 Soccer Academy 8, Totally Wicked 2 THE Ewood experience was always going to be a memorable one for all those involved as the Orphanage Cup returned for the first time in 20 years.

And so it proved.

S7 Soccer Academy – a team full of talented football coaches – won the game they daren’t not lose while Totally Wicked won many fans as the competition's surprise package.

Then there were the friends, families and colleagues who filled Ewood Park with cheers and goodwill – something that has been lacking at the home of Blackburn Rovers in these troubled times.

Totally Wicked came to win – underlined by Mick Ashton’s stunning early strike – but, just as importantly, they came to enjoy themselves as well.

Ultimately, there were undone by the slick, quick, well-drilled Academy outfit with Daniel Stubberfield and Chris Mason both scoring memorable hat-tricks while Zak Dale, all tricks and flicks, weighed in with a brace.

Both teams were making their first Orphanage Cup appearance – and with the final hopefully becoming a regular event at Ewood Park for the first time in two decades – their timing was impeccable.

Totally Wicked have been a breath of fresh air and their never-say-die attitude did for holders Red Rose Dry Lining in the semi final, coming back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 after extra time.

They also needed a penalty shoot-out to defeat Blackburn Council ‘B’ in round two.

That fighting spirit would again be tested here but they took an early lead when Ashton drilled in a wonderful goal from outside the area that was more than fitting for the surroundings.

But it was their defensive qualities that were stretched to the limit and keeper Shaun Townsend made the first of what proved to be many excellent saves, denying Dale with his feet after the diminutive wide man neatly turned his marker.

Centre back Mick Watson bravely dived in to block a Mason effort although Wicked showed they could attack with purpose when Shaun Watson released Ryan Magee whose low shot was held by Martin Gillibrand in the S7 goal.

But the Academy took control with two goals in two minutes. First Dale skipped cleared down the right and drove in a low cross that Townsend couldn’t prevent from going in.

And in their next attack, Jordan MacQuarrie was up-ended in the box and Stubberfield coolly converted from the spot.

Stuart Mercer then pulled off a fine tackle after tracking back and foiling Mason just as he was about to pull the trigger before Stubberfield blasted over after more good play by Dale.

Townsend then had to be alert to tip over when Ellis Gallaher’s punt forward caught in the wind.

It was one way traffic but Wicked have already proved in the competition that they can bounce back – and they did so again.

Shaun Watson had an effort blocked and from the resulting corner, Magee’s centre went through a crowd of players and straight in. Magee then had a wonderful chance to put Totally Wicked back in front but hesitated in the area and the chance went.

S7 continued to pile forward but were unable to beat Townsend who pulled off saves to deny Dale, Mason and Stubberfield before they scored just before the break.

Lewis Hamlin, who had a fine game in the middle of the park, found Mason free down the right and his cross was expertly side-footed home by Stubberfield.

After the break, S7’s fitness told as Totally Wicked tired and became disjointed as they made changes.

Watson and Ashton, who had to slot back in to the centre of defence, weren’t as influential but it didn’t dampen the team spirit – perfectly demonstrated by defender Giovanni Tudda who tackled and tracked back even when the game was long gone.

Townsend was called in to action early on to deny MacQuarrie before Mason scored his first, quickly followed by as second courtesy of a through ball from Dale.

Stubberfield then completed his hat-trick with an exceptional piece of skill, taking the ball down in one touch, shifting the ball on to his right foot with another before volleying home from the tighest of angles.

Not to be outdone, Mason completed his treble, rising to head home a corner from Stubberfield and the scoring was complete when Dale capped off his man-of-the-match display, curling home from just inside the area.

But he was hard pushed for the accolade by Totally Wicked keeper Townsend – something remarkable considering he conceded eight – who denied MacQuarrie again before saving his best until last, getting down low to beat away a Mason shot then was up quickly to acrobatically palmed away the rebound which was looping towards the goal.

In truth, Totally Wicked offered little as an attacking threat after the break but the occasion was not lost on them as they gave all their substitutes – Joe Czyzk, Josh Wilkinson and Matt Walton – the chance to savour the Ewood experience.