Commercial Old Boys lose on penalties (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Commercial Old Boys lose on penalties

4:10pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in Grass Roots news

COMMERCIAL Old Boys were just seven minutes away from completing a unique double but lost in a penalty shoot-out in the Umbro Veterans Over 35s Masters final.

Having already won the Over 40s Cup, the Colne-based side appeared odds-on to add the ‘younger’ title as they led South London outfit Mayfair 3-1 at the FA’s new St George’s Park in Burton with just minutes remaining.

But a dramatic late fightback forced the shoot-out which the Londoners won 5-3.

“I’m so disappointed,” said manager Tony Bannister. “We were totally in control and had it in the bag. But two errors cost us and we go and lose on penalties. But that’s football I suppose.”

Commercial, who are sponsored by and play out of the Crown Hotel, were well worthy of their 2-0 lead thanks to a wonderful opener from Scott Gizon and Ian Pilkington’s tap-in from Stuart Mulligan’s cross.

Mayfair pulled one back just before the break but Mulligan’s close range effort from Denny Khan’s centre restored the two-goal advantage.

Victory seemed certain until Mayfair’s late double salvo forced the penalty shoot-out.