Everden Cup triumph for Waterloo

4:54pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

Waterloo 4-1 Stone C & I

WATERLOO are the winners of this year's Everden Cup after defeating fellow Division Two side Stone C & I in the final at the AEI Ground.

It was a case of second time lucky for Waterloo after last year's defeat in the final, but they found themselves trailing after only four minutes when Billy Kingwell fired Stone in front.

Waterloo were back on terms five minutes later when Ross Fegan latched onto a long clearance from his defence before making it 1-1.

Both keepers, Stone's Roger Norman and Waterloo's Mark Chatley, were kept busy in an end to end encounter with referee Lee Dyson having little to do with the whistle.

Waterloo almost grabbed the lead two minutes before the break when Kirk Mitten fired just wide from close in and Steve Leece's clever shot just went past the far post one minute later.

Stone had the chance to score in the final moments of the half when another fast break from defence saw Kevin Gibbons put in a great shot, which Chatley tipped over the bar.

The second half had Stone relying on the quick breaks from defence which took them into the Waterloo penalty area, but the pub team stood firm and they held out.

Waterloo gradually took over and put the Stone defence under pressure and in the 55th minute they were rewarded when Craig Chatley delivered a fine shot which took two deflections before going into the Stone net.

On the hour, Waterloo won a throw-in on the right and Craig Chatley threw the ball some 40 yards into the Stone area where Kirk Mitten got in an unstoppable header to score.

Waterloo added a fourth on 88 minutes when Fegan scored direct from a free-kick some 35 yards from goal to seal the cup.

Hospital Cup Secretary John Emery gave thanks to the AEI club for the loan of the ground, to the supporters for their attendance, to the four officials for their control of the game and expressed commiserations to the sporting Stone C & I club.

League president Roger Bowen then presented the magnificent cup to the Waterloo captain Mickey Rosa to the loud cheers of his team and supporters.

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