Shaws of Darwen 2 British Telecom 0 Ratings Shaws of Darwen Shaw fire winners SHAWS player/manager Michael Leaf admitted his cup winners were wracked by nerves before kick off but they still managed to conjure up two excellent goals not out of place at Ewood Park.

A towering far post header from Darren Knowles and an equisite chip from Baz Leatherd -- both superbly set up by Liam Taylor -- sealed the win for Shaws who lifted the old trophy for the first time since 1937.

It also settled the jitters.

Both sides played some attractive football in difficult circumstances, both mentally and physically -- a week's worth of rain fell in just three hours before kick off.

But despite the heavy conditions, the matched flowed with some exciting end-to-end action.

Shaws talented striker Paddy Lauber looked most at home on the luscious turf and he calved open the British Telecom defence within 10 seconds of the game to release Leatherd whose low strike was blocked by keeper Geoff Bond.

BT took their time to get into the match and Darren Briggs was the first to question the Shaws defence with a darting run down the right wing whose cross hit the outside of a post.

Lauber then had well struck shot deflected wide after a well worked free kick with Steve Eggleston.

BT's big Stuart Thompson introduced himself to the game with a sweetly struck free kick which Jon Wilson did well to hold. Thompson then earned another free kick which John Lamb fired narrowly wide.

Shaws hit back with a passage of play which should have resulted in a goal.

Lauber was again involved when he got to the by line to cross for Taylor whose close range shot was saved by Bond.

The roles were reversed moments later when Taylor crossed for Lauber who headed narrowly wide of the target. Lauber then raced on to an excellent Dave Berry through ball, rounded the keeper but slotted the ball the wrong side of the upright.

The chance, momentarily, was gone and Shaws were forced onto the back foot as BT now enjoyed the upperhand.

Briggs proved to be tricky every time he got the chance to turn and run at defenders while Thompson strength made him an awkward customer in the box.

Shaws survived and soon took the lead.

Eggleston, who was now beginning to control the middle of the park, found Taylor whose excellent reverse pass fell directly into Lauber's path -- his deep cross picked out Knowles who soared to power home a header.

The goal was always coming but so too was the expected fightback and Briggs fizzed a ball into the danger before it was cleared for a corner. Briggs then sent in another cross which Thompson just failed to connect to.

BT should have made the pressure count and Nick Wilson missed two clear cut chances -- first when he completely missed the ball from six yards then hit a volley into the turf and over the bar when Lamb challenged Bond for the ball.

To make matters worse Shaws doubled the lead when the energetic Taylor ran the ball out of defence and his weighted through ball released Leatherd who beat his marker for pace before expertly lifting the ball over the advancing Bond.

While free-flowing football was the highlight of the opening 45 minutes, heavy legs on a heavy pitch took its toll after the break.

Knowles was inches away from connecting with a flying header while Lauber forced another smart save out of Bond.

However it was BT who looked the more likely to score after the break and Shaws were content to sit on their lead.

Substitute Danny Ishmail added pace down the flanks and went close but fired into the side netting and then headed over when well placed. Briggs then had the chance to seal a fine individual performance after racing on to Nick Wilson's defence splitting ball. But for once lacked composure and fired wide after he rounded Wilson. On a rare sortie up field, Bond produced a fine double save to deny Berry and Knowles and with time running out BT missed the chance of a late goal when Steve Forrest opted for the extra touch and fired into the side netting from a narrow angle.Jon Wilson (keeper) Commanded his area well and played through the pain barrier with strained thigh...6

Phil Hargreaves (right back) Did not get forward as much but still had a good game...6

Mark Dunkerley (left back) Work hard until he went off...6

Michael Leaf (centre back) Concentration and good positional play was key to good performance...7

Mark Armstrong (centre back) Defended well, especially in the first half...6

Liam Taylor (right midfield) Set up both goals and voted Ronnie Clayton's man-of-the-match. Doesn't get better than that...9

Baz Leatherd (left midfield) Full of running and scored a great goal. Celebration was another matter!...8

Steve Eggleston (centre midfield) Another commanding midfield display. Worked tirelessly throughout...8

Dave Berry (centre midfield) Top of his game and ran his socks off. Unlucky not to score...7

Darren Knowles (striker) Typical big centre forward. Put himself about and scored fine header...7

HPaddy Lauber (striker) Game suited to Ewood and looked a class act. Set up first goal and unlucky not to score...9

Subs

Michael McDonald (defender) Came on at the break and did a good job...6

Jimmy Turnbull (defender) Another who did not let the side down when he came on...6

Chris Gaul (defender) Given a late run out...6 British Telecom Geoff Bond (keeper) Solid game but beaten by two good goals...6

Rob Waring (right back) Gave his all until he went off in the second half...6

Dave Bannister (left back) Stuck to his defensive duties and did them well...6

Phil Hammond (centre back) Old head at the back and proved that experience counts...7

Dave Jarrold (centre back)Marshalled defence well alongside Hammond...7

Nick Wilson (right midfield) Worked hard but had two great chances to score...7

Craig Hayes (left midfield) Plenty of running without seeing that much of the ball...6

John Lamb (centre midfield) Enjoyed the midfield battle and got booked for it...7

Steve Forrest (centre midfield) Played well but missed out on late goal when he fired into side netting...7

HStuart Briggs (striker) Bags of skill and pace and was a real handful...8

Stuart Thompson (striker) Big man with good touch. A real nuisance but faded after the break...7

Subs

Danny Ishmail (midfield) Added pace to left hand side and went close with two chances...7

Peter Coyne (midfield) Little time to make an impact...6

Steve Leeson (midfield) A rare outing but again no time to make his mark...6 Road to Ewood Park Shaws of Darwen Preliminary Round: Voith Fabrics 4-0

First Round: B Robinson 3-0

Second Round: Blackburn College 2-1

Third Round: Blackburn Fire Station 'A' 3-2

Fourth Round: Farleys Solicitors 2-0

Semi Final: Crown Wallcovering 4-0 British Telecom Preliminary Round: Dauphin 4-0

First Round: Parcel Force 3-2

Second Round: Blackburn Rovers FC 2-1

Third Round: Blackburn Council 3-1

Fourth Round: ELCoach Builders 3-2

Semi Final: ACME Refrigeration 4-0 Shaw fire winners SHAWS player/manager Michael Leaf admitted his cup winners were wracked by nerves before kick off but they still managed to conjure up two excellent goals not out of place at Ewood Park.

A towering far post header from Darren Knowles and an equisite chip from Baz Leatherd -- both superbly set up by Liam Taylor -- sealed the win for Shaws who lifted the old trophy for the first time since 1937.

It also settled the jitters.

Both sides played some attractive football in difficult circumstances, both mentally and physically -- a week's worth of rain fell in just three hours before kick off.

But despite the heavy conditions, the matched flowed with some exciting end-to-end action.

Shaws talented striker Paddy Lauber looked most at home on the luscious turf and he calved open the British Telecom defence within 10 seconds of the game to release Leatherd whose low strike was blocked by keeper Geoff Bond.

BT took their time to get into the match and Darren Briggs was the first to question the Shaws defence with a darting run down the right wing whose cross hit the outside of a post.

Lauber then had well struck shot deflected wide after a well worked free kick with Steve Eggleston.

BT's big Stuart Thompson introduced himself to the game with a sweetly struck free kick which Jon Wilson did well to hold. Thompson then earned another free kick which John Lamb fired narrowly wide.

Shaws hit back with a passage of play which should have resulted in a goal.

Lauber was again involved when he got to the by line to cross for Taylor whose close range shot was saved by Bond.

The roles were reversed moments later when Taylor crossed for Lauber who headed narrowly wide of the target. Lauber then raced on to an excellent Dave Berry through ball, rounded the keeper but slotted the ball the wrong side of the upright.

The chance, momentarily, was gone and Shaws were forced onto the back foot as BT now enjoyed the upperhand.

Briggs proved to be tricky every time he got the chance to turn and run at defenders while Thompson strength made him an awkward customer in the box.

Shaws survived and soon took the lead.

Eggleston, who was now beginning to control the middle of the park, found Taylor whose excellent reverse pass fell directly into Lauber's path -- his deep cross picked out Knowles who soared to power home a header.

The goal was always coming but so too was the expected fightback and Briggs fizzed a ball into the danger before it was cleared for a corner. Briggs then sent in another cross which Thompson just failed to connect to.

BT should have made the pressure count and Nick Wilson missed two clear cut chances -- first when he completely missed the ball from six yards then hit a volley into the turf and over the bar when Lamb challenged Bond for the ball.

To make matters worse Shaws doubled the lead when the energetic Taylor ran the ball out of defence and his weighted through ball released Leatherd who beat his marker for pace before expertly lifting the ball over the advancing Bond.

While free-flowing football was the highlight of the opening 45 minutes, heavy legs on a heavy pitch took its toll after the break.

Knowles was inches away from connecting with a flying header while Lauber forced another smart save out of Bond.

However it was BT who looked the more likely to score after the break and Shaws were content to sit on their lead.

Substitute Danny Ishmail added pace down the flanks and went close but fired into the side netting and then headed over when well placed. Briggs then had the chance to seal a fine individual performance after racing on to Nick Wilson's defence splitting ball. But for once lacked composure and fired wide after he rounded Wilson. On a rare sortie up field, Bond produced a fine double save to deny Berry and Knowles and with time running out BT missed the chance of a late goal when Steve Forrest opted for the extra touch and fired into the side netting from a narrow angle.