Richmond Town Over 40’s travelled up to Sunderland on Saturday to face Redcar Town in the final of the Echo Cup.
With the two sides currently sitting in second and third place in the league with a handful of games to go, this was always expected to be a close affair.
Town started in their favoured 4-4-2 formation with a back 4 four of Roger Wicks, Mike Dale, Danny Plumb and Danny Mccowie offering the protection to Tim Bishop in goal.
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Across the midfield Paul Ramsay and Mark Waller took their usual positions on the flanks with Danny Cox and Mickey Sartini in the middle.
Mike White and Mark Clemminson started up from – a combination that has yielded over 50 goals already this season.
Town started the brighter with much of the play directed down the right hand side with Ramsay whipping in a couple of dangerous crosses, White almost scoring when the keeper spilled one to him a yard out.
Redcar played some good football, particularly in the middle of the park but the town defence was superbly marshalled by Dale and Plumb one every header.
There was a scare late in the first half when the Redcar striker broke clear and after bishop saved his initial effort, hit the post at the second attempt.
It was 0-0 at half time and town continued to make use of the rolling subs with Gary Eggleston, Simon Eves and Gav Newall all making appearances as town manage Sasha Sanders tried to keep things fresh.
On 60 minutes town took the lead when like so many times this season, Clemmison and White combined with the later hitting a sweet strike past the Redcar keeper.
Taking the lead seemed to have an adverse effect on town as they sat back and invited pressure. Deep into injury time Redcar won a corner and after Bishop clearer the initial danger they scored at the second attempt.
Extra time came and went without many chances from either side as both teams tired in the heat.
Penalties: Eggleston, Plumb, White and Dale all scored confidently before Bishop saved the 4th Redcar effort leaving it for Sartini to tuck home the winning spot kick and send the Richmond old boys into joyous scenes and a heavy night on the ale.
