Bingham Cox Cup Final London Colney A 2 Potters Bar Crusaders 1 After extra time LONDON Colney A sealed the Bingham Cox Cup after defeating Potters Bar Crusaders at St Albans City s Clarence Park home on Bank Holiday Monday. After falling at the last h

Bingham Cox Cup Final

London Colney A 2

Potters Bar Crusaders 1

After extra time

LONDON Colney A sealed the Bingham Cox Cup after defeating Potters Bar Crusaders at St Albans City's Clarence Park home on Bank Holiday Monday.

After falling at the last hurdle last year, Paul Seymour's side were not going to make the same mistake this year.

Potters Bar Crusaders were at reduced strength and were no match for a strong London Colney side. The match was far closer that the London Colney management team would have liked.

Assistant Manager, Trevor Ray said after the match: "We should have wrapped this match up in the first half."

From the opening whistle it was the Colney side who came looking for an early goal and despite dominating in midfield with Tim Fretter and Yashin Badhoo both in good form, they could not apply the final touches.

Potters Bar were not without their chances, as they attempted to break down both of the Colney flanks.

Colney finally made the pressure tell shortly before half time when striker Adeyinka Adeyoyin forced a good save from the Potters Bar 'keeper Jimmy Edwards. From the ensuing corner, the ball bounced around the goal mouth and it was left to Ricky Farmer to toe home from a yard.

Colney led at half time and seemed to be well in control of the match. Strong words in the Potters Bar dressing room seemed to do the trick, as they started the second half on the attack and were unlucky not to draw level, when they struck a post. Some quality defending from the age-less Neil Farmer and skipper, Barry Ward, kept the Crusaders at bay. However, the pressure told mid-way through the second half. A soft free kick was awarded on the Colney left and as the ball was floated into the box, Barry Ward could only nod the ball past his own 'keeper.

The second half continued with both sides looking for a winner. Mark Gallagher and Adeyinda Adeyoyin both went close, but the best chance when to Tim Fretter who ghosted past two defenders before striking from the edge of the box. The Crusader's 'keeper could only look on, but saw the shot skim the goal post.

Neither side could break the deadlock and the match went into extra time. In the 95th minute the ball was fed to Tim Fretter on the right wing, his first time cross was not dealt with and Adeyoyin finished from six yards.

Colney reverted to an eleven man defence, with Toby Azzopari replacing Tim Fretter in midfield. Although both sides had several half chances, the best of which was a fierce shot from Crusaders which was tipped over by Dave Adams in the Colney goal, who backed up the claim as the best 'keeper in the league.

Colney hung on for a deserved 2-1 win after extra time which the management team of Seymour and Ray hope will be part of a double this season, as they will be looking to take the Mid Herts Benevolent Shield on April 29 at Hitchin Town, possibly against Potters Bar Crusaders, if they can beat St Albans based Probuild in a rearranged semi-final.

A mention must be made of the match officials - referee Lee Jessup for keeping good control of the match and assisted by David Wisson and John Page (Herts FA).

London Colney: Adams, Pregrum, Farmer, Ward (C), Farmer, Fretter, Boodhoo, Williams, Clifford, Gallagher, Adeyoyin. Subs: Hanak, Azzopardi, Henshall, Falade, Seymour.