HAPTON eventually got their hands on the Allan Mason Cup but they were forced to work extra hard to do so.

It appeared that Matt Hesmondhalgh’s early strike was going to be enough to separate the side’s until Danny Lee’s free kick levelled matters and forced extra time.

However, fitness and youth told as Scott Brodie, Alex McNamara, Leigh Hutchin-son and Hesmondhalgh again all scored to seal victory.

Black Horse, who had lost the two league meetings, went in to the final as underdogs. Manager Keith Chadwick just wanted his side to enjoy the occasion - and not to embarrass themselves.

While the scoreline suggests the latter, that simply wasn’t the case. In fact, Black Horse may see it as a lost opportunity as they had their moments.

But the first half definitely belonged to Hapton.

Scott Brodie’s corners from the left caused all sorts of problems, James Armitage tipping over a header from Alex McNamara before Leigh Hutchinson cleared the bar with another effort.

So it was no surprise when they took the lead, Matt Hesmondhalgh latching on to a long ball from full back Glenn Davis and arrowing his shot across Armitage.

Brodie then forced a save out of the busy Black Horse keeper after good work by Chris Landon and the lively Hesmondhalgh spun his marker but pulled his shot across goal.

Black Horse were restricted to fleeting counterattack raids with the busy Mark Hinksman heavily involved, linking up well with Matt Pilkington and John Pickup.

After the break, Pickup forced a save out of Phil Hesmondhalgh in the Hapton goal after more good work by Hinksman but the action was largely contained to the other end.

But Black Horse’s rearguard action could not be faulted as Stuart Murphy and fellow centre back David Blackburn threw themselves in front of everything Hapton threw at them.

But slowly Black Horse got themselves in the game - Pilkington heading just wide before Hinksman had one effort saved and John Pickup had an effort blocked CONTINUED PAGE 14>> on the line. With time ticking away, Lee picked himself from a crude Davis foul to exact his perfect revenge by curling his effort in to the top corner - then matched it with a cheeky celebration, jumping in the stand to applaud himself!

But Black Horse once again had keeper Armitage to thank for taking the game in to extra time, brilliantly tipping over Luke Austin’s header.

However, the exertions to get back in the game took its toil on Black Horse and it was virtually one-way traffic in extra time.

McNamara hit the post before Brodie got the goal his performance warranted, firing home a cross from Hesmondhalgh.

This time they didn’t let their advantage slip when McNamara rose above Armitage to score.

Hopes of any comeback was ended early in the second period when Hesmondhalgh bundled in his second before Hutchinson headed home a cross from Chris Landon to complete the scoring.

HAPTON RATINGS

Manager: Jamie Butterfield. Phil Hesmondhalgh (keeper) Had to be alert and forced in to a few second half saves 6
Glenn Davis (right back) Great ball for opening goal but escaped booking for string of crude challenges 6
Jamie Ramsbottom (left back) A willing outlet and put in some decent crosses 6
Alex McNamara (centre back) Skipper denied by keeper early on but scored in extra time 7
John Thompson (centre back) Defended well and delivered some decent free kicks 6
Luke Austin (right midfield) Had a fine second half and only denied a goal by a great save by Armitage 6
Chris Landon (left midfield) Cracked one shot against the post and cross led to fifth goal. Got better as match wore on 7
Luke Thoms (centre midfield) Not the most mobile but had a fine range of passing 6
Leigh Hutchinson (centre midfield) Good on the ball and put some tackles in. Goal capped a fine display 7
Matt Hesmondhalgh (striker) Made the breakthrough and was a threat throughout and scored a second in injury time 7
SCOTT BRODIE (striker) Corners caused all sorts of problems. Always involved and scored vital second goal 7. Subs: David Pugh (midfield) Busied himself and had a long throw 6. Chris Bryan (midfield) Thrown on late in to extra time 6.

BLACK HORSE

Manager: Keith Chadwick. James Armitage (keeper) Young stopper made a string of impressive saves and no chances with the goals 7
Alex Birtwell (right back) Restricted to defensive duties but did them well 6
Danny Lee (left back) Goal was only bettered by his celebration! Used the ball well and linked up with attackers 7
Stuart Murphy (centre back) Youngster never looked flustered on the ball and put in a solid defensive shift 6
David Blackburn (centre back) Led by example and threw his way in front of everything. Countless blocks and tackles 6
MARK HINKSMAN (right midfield) Ran from first minute to last. Seemed involved in every Black Horse move and went close with one effort 7
Simon Redfearn (left midfield) Started out wide and then up front 6
Andy Thorpe (centre midfield) Did the nitty gritty and played one excellent defence splitting pass 6
Tim Brodest (centre midfield) Worked hard in the middle alongside Thorpe 6
Matt Pilkington (striker) Nice touch on the ball and linked up well with Hinksman but wasted the few goal-scoring chances that game his way 6
John Pickup (striker) Led the line well but didn’t test the keeper enough 6. Subs: Rob Green (striker) Added extra height up front but no real chances 6. Sam Dowling (defence) Slotted in at right back and did alright 6. Steven Chadwick (midfield) Had a couple of decent runs down the right 6.