New boys' cup triumph (From Tewkesbury Admag)

New boys' cup triumph

Moreton Rangers 4, St Marks 1

AFTER years in the football wilderness, Moreton Rangers men's team embarked on a new era this season.

Having lost their first five matches, a place in their county cup final seemed unlikely, but on Monday evening skipper Nigel Brooks was lifting the trophy after an eventful match which saw their Cheltenham opponents finish the game with eight men.

The game began with both teams playing at breakneck speed full of commitment. It took some quick one-touch passing to open up the St Marks defence and set Lee Oxley on his way to coolly notch the opener.

The opponents were always a threat and on the brink of half-time the impressive Steve Magee had to be alert to thwart an incisive through ball.

An early penalty awarded to Rangers saw their opponents begin to lose control and although the spot kick was missed, the St Marks captain talked himself to a red card.

The next 20 minutes saw the referee take more names as the tackling became wilder and one such challenge saw another St Marks player take an early bath. At this point the football became disjointed as the game descended into a fiasco. St Marks, down to nine men, conjured up an equaliser as Rangers did their best to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The game moved into extra time. Moreton were composed and Chris Timms' perfect glancing header sent them into a lead they would not relinquish.

A tap-in from Ben Shurmer rounded off a personal solid performance making victory assured.

As the evening drew in and the mist descended, another St Marks player was sent off.

This eventful match drew to its conclusion as Mark Boydell coolly slotted home.