West End 4 Ewood Amateurs 1

THEY'LL be talking about this one at West End for years to come -- and no doubt hat-trick hero Stuart Durnan will be the main story-teller.

For cup shocks don't get much bigger than this.

West End, already relegated from the Premiership against prize-guys Ewood Amateurs who did the 'domestic' treble last season.

Admittedly, Ewood have had a stinker by their own high standards this season but they were firm favourites going into the final.

But Durnan obviously had other ideas.

Ewood took an early lead when skipper Steve Eggleston -- who had already lifted the Orphanage Cup for Shaws of Darwen on Ewood Park two weeks earlier -- drilled the ball home from the edge of the area. And when Brian Derbyshire lobbed the ball the wrong side of the post when clear through, it was beginning to look a bit ominous for West End.

But in reality that was as good as it got for Ewood as West End, marshalled by the superb Phil Southworth and hard working Neil Tattersall in midfield, grew in confidence as the minutes ticked by.

Ewood keeper did well to keep out a shot from Sohail Butt then did even better to push away a full-blooded drive from John Thompson.

With Southworth pulling the strings in midfield and winning his individual battle with Eggleston, West End had Ewood on the back foot.

And they were on level terms when Durnan's firm shot from outside the area left Fox rooted to the spot.

Durnan then showed his blistering pace when he latched on to a superb through ball from Southworth to fire the ball under the advancing Fox.

West End sensed there were more goals to come and Durnan should have clinched a first half hat-trick when Southworth again was the provider but the striker dragged his shot wide when well placed.

Ewood upped the tempo after the break and Ilyas Mohamed force a fine save out of Mick Holden. Denis Tate headed the resulting corner narrowly wide.

But Durnan again proved to be the danger man and he outpaced his marker on the left before firing across Fox to score.

Durnan's heroics up front were matched by Dean Counsell's in the heart of the West End defence who blocked and shut out everything Ewood could throw at him.

When Eggleston did breach the West End defence Holden pulled off another fine save. Hopes of an Ewood comeback were finally distinguished when Durnan's exquisite flick sent Neil Tattersall clear who defied the cramp to slip the ball under Fox.

Ratings:

Ewood Amateurs Kieron Fox (keeper) One excellent first half save but will be disappointed with being beaten four times...6

lyas Mohamed (right back) Put himself about and got booked. Great late strike on goal...6

Roy Gardener (left back) Cavalier as ever and got forward when he could...6

Pete Crump (centre back) Decent enough game but had his hands full with...6

HDenis Tate (centre back) Cool and comfortable and did not looked fazed, especially in the first half...7

Steve Almond (right midfield) Did not see that much of the ball...6

Carl Marshal (left midfield) Another wide man who flitted in and out of the game...6

Steve Eggleston (centre midfield) Great opening goal but then made some uncharacteristic mistakes...6

Lee Shaw (centre midfield) Worked hard without making a real mark on the game...6

Craig Andre (striker) Worked hard but never got that clear sight on goal...6

Brian Derbyshire (striker) Should have doubled Ewood's lead with a rare chance ...6

Subs

Illy Karbhari (defence) Looked enthusiastic when he came on...6

Jimmy Riley (defence) Settled into heart of defence...6

Mark Roberts (defence) Did a decent job when he came on...6

West End

Mick Holden (keeper) Made two great second half saves...7

Mick Brown (right back) Kept the dangerous Carl Marshal quite. Did a good job...6

John Thompson (left back) Defended well and early shot well save...6

Dean Counsell (centre back) Faultless display in heart of defence. Charged everything down...8

Paul Thompson (centre back) Worked well with Counsell to shut Ewood out...7

Sohail Butt (right midfield) Busy little player but should have done better with his chances...7

Alan True (left midfield) Looked good until he went off injured...6

Neil Tattersall (centre midfield) Scored crucial fourth goal. Deserved it for his hard work...7

Phil Southworth (centre midfield) Won the midfield battle. Massive influence on game and pass for second goal was a delight...8

Steve Curley (striker) Worked hard but lacked composure when clean through on goal...6

HStuart Durnan (striker) Scored a hat-trick and set up fourth. Ewood just could not handle him...9

Subs:

Gavin Brown (midfield) Played most of the game and worked hard...7

Phil Harrison (midfield) Got a late run out...6