Unwantables are the cup kings

The Clubhouse Unwantables 3, Mosgrove Yobbos 2

UNWANTABLES have won the Investec Knockout Cup for the third time in four years. The first half was dull with few shots on target. Adrian Gidney, in goal for Yobbos, was called into action twice and Unwantables' keeper Paul Bullock just once.

Both sides appeared to be trying to feel the other out and chose to keep possession rather than drive forward.

Yobbos took the attacking initiative in the second half but Unwantables grabbed the lead after Rob Newton worked some space at the edge of the D and beat Gidney with a reverse stick shot.

Almost immediately Phil Ogier was yellow carded by umpire Stuart Perfitt for a poor tackle on Yobbos' Nic Chambers.

Yobbos took advantage of their additional man when Chambers ran through the middle of the defence, worked a neat one-two in the D with Steve Queripel and finished.

Unwantables were still a man down when they reclaimed the lead. Jamie Chambers made a surging run out of defence and found Newton unmarked and clear of the defence. He smashed the ball past Gidney.

Ogier returned but Josh Smith was then yellow-carded for a tackle on Tony Veillard. He returned before another goal was scored but it was Yobbos who levelled.

A Chambers short corner shot was blocked by Bullock, but the ball broke to the unselfish Queripel, whose thunderbolt effort could not be stopped by the defenders on the line.

Moments later, Newton could have bagged himself a hat-trick and put Unwantables back in front but unbelievably he skied his shot over from six yards out.

With only a few minutes remaining, Adam Kitching put Unwantables in front for the final time. His effort from the left of the D beat Gidney's left foot as the keeper's line of sight was impaired by an attacker.

The final involved the two main clubs who were not involved in the final shakedown for league honours.

'It was good that four teams had a chance of winning some silverware,' said Unwantables winger Kitching.

'I'm glad that we've picked something up this season. We've not had the best of seasons as we've been fairly inconsistent.'

Approved Personnel Panthers 4,

The Clubhouse Cubs 3

THERE were key players missing from both sides as defending champions Cubs took on league winners Panthers in the women's final.

Cubs were without captain and island midfielder Elyse Dandeker and Panthers were minus Emma Kinder, Sarah Morris and Tiggy Montague.

Panthers took the lead from a short corner, Amanda de Jersey following up Gemma Duport's initial save to sweep home.

It was not long before the scores were level. Panthers defender Vicky Loveridge failed to clear from a 16-yard hit and Debbie Allen finished at the back post.

Both sides had scoring opportunities before Cubs took the lead when the ball broke to Michelle Gilson on the edge of the D and her flick beat Panters keeper Collette Brown.

Panthers hit back soon afterwards when a short corner was awarded after Kath Guille's driving run through the defence.

The first short corner broke down as Duport saved. However, umpire Ray Bushell correctly awarded a second one for an infringement. This was partially cleared, but Jackie Davies won the ball back and crossed for Guille to slap into an empty net.

Then Jo Bell worked an opening for Mandy Damarell to restore Cubs' lead.

Panthers equalised from a well-rehearsed short corner, where the ball was slipped to Helen Wills, who crossed to the far post where Lizzie Stonebridge finished.

Duport then saved well from de Jersey but could not stop Lucy Slimm hitting the winner with a simple tap-in at the far post.

Collette Brown saved well from Ali Le Tocq in the final minute to secure the 4-3 win and the league and cup double for Panthers.