Forest share the cup glory

IT was honours even with both teams sharing the trophy for six months each after this county cup final played at the Ford Sports Club, Newbury Park.

After a successful tour to the Isle of Wight the Forest side were on song for an outright win in this match and showed their determination when they recovered from an early Barking goal in the 15th minute.

The equaliser came five minutes later with a well-worked goal which started when Highams Park defender Joe Heenam sprinted from the half way line.

He zipped past three defenders and crossed the ball into the penalty area where Natham Desnoes (Norlington Boys) neatly flicked it wide of the keeper and into the net.

Just a couple of minutes from half time, Waltham Forest went ahead through Jayden Bork-Fraser (Holy Family College).

It came after a crossed ball which bounced badly for the Barking keeper but just right for the Forest forward.

After the break, two incidents influenced the outcome of this match. A Forest goal was disallowed because a ball was judged not to have fully crossed the Barking goal line and at the other end Barking were awarded a penalty for shirt pulling.

The resulting spot kick gave Barking their equalising goal.

There were no further goals in the match, which included 20 minutes of extra time.

And, as the competition rules did not allow for a penalty kick decider, the trophy was shared.

Waltham Forest had the satisfaction, however, of receiving the winners medals on the strength of a higher league position than their opponents.

Forest's team manager Paul Hobbs said afterwards: "Last season we lost in the cup final, this season we shared the cup so next season we must win it.

"We are improving all the time and this season had really been a great one for the lads who have put in a lot of effort and commitment."