Castle clinch extra-time final winner
Sunday 20th May 2007
League Cup Final
Castle 3
Pattinson, Lamb, Thompson
Old Shildon 2 (AET)
Robinson, J.Hedley
DIVISION Three Bishop Castle eventually lifted the League Cup at Coxhoe after a thrilling final with top-flight side Old Shildon.
Paul Wilson missed a penalty for Shildon and were punished for it when Daniel Pattinson put the underdogs into a first-half lead.
Neil Robinson drew Shildon level before the break but Leigh Lamb nudged Castle ahead and, with only a minute left, James Hedley grabbed a dramatic equaliser to set up a nail-biting 30 minutes of extra-time.
Mark Thompson drew first blood for Castle and they were able to hold on to their lead to complete a memorable win.
Boss Peter Baker said: “It was a good game, with neither side giving much away. I thought they edged the first half and we perhaps scored against the run of play, but fair play to Old Shildon, they came back at us to level.
“I thought we edged the second half but they once again they came back to get an equaliser – and there wasn’t a lot left from either side in extra-time after the efforts they’d already put in, but we managed to sneak the winner and hold on.
“It’s been a great first season for us, finishing fourth in the league and winning the League Cup. We set up to enjoy our football, so what we’ve achieved this season is far more than we ever expected.”
Shildon’s Martin Hedley said: “We were poor on the day and didn’t play to our ability. Maybe the penalty miss was the turning point, but all credit to Castle, they were the better team on the day.”
• League Treasurer Gary Livett is also pictured handing the trophy over to Castle skipper Daniel Pattinson.
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