Stamford Belevedere stunned Moulton Harrox Reserves 4-2 in the final of PFA Challenge Cup on Friday night to deny them a terrific treble.
ChromaSport PDFL Division One champions and Chairman Championship Shield winners Harrox had gone 30 games unbeaten throughout the season – but the In2Itive Park final was one game too many for Kev Nottingham’s side.
They threatened early on when Ryan Wheeler’s effort was kept out by George Winters, but the Stamford side went ahead on 15 minutes when Rhys Gilson skipped past a couple of challenges and lashed home.
Martin Sandall dragged an attempt wide as Moulton responded well to falling behind, but they were fortunate to go in at half-time just one down after Lewis Morley’s cross was deflected onto the crossbar.
Harrox were back level early in the second half after benefiting from a freak own goal. Moments after Winters pulled off a stellar save, the ball hit the bar and dropped to Belvedere defender Pete Conneely – who inexplicably hooked the ball into his own net.
That didn’t unsettle the Stamford side, though, and they went back ahead 20 minutes from time when Conneely’s dominant header atoned for his earlier mistake.
Substitute Joe McDonald then showed a tiring Moulton defence a clean pair of heels to race clear and slot home the third.
Andy Law saw a late effort saved as Harrox attempted to hit back in vain.
Moulton Reserves: A Elderkin, Nottingham (T Elderkin), Thorold, Price, Hall, Williams, Kisla (Law), Ball, Sandall, Panton, Wheeler (Sinfield).
