YOU have to go back to 1931- exactly 70 yearsago - since Appleby last won the Westmorland County FA's Senior Cup and itwas as if the weight of all those intervening years was propelling them toa 4-3 victory over Staveley United at Parkside on Tuesdayevening.

Staveley were to be tormented by Appleby's livewireforwards for most of the first half, but before their troubles began theywent ahead.

It was only towards the close of the first halfthat Staveley showed the control necessary to construct an opening but,though enjoying a geater share of possession, they failed to get a shot ontarget.

Instead they went into half-time 3-1 down when Applebyswept out of defence deep in stoppage time and Ross Martin weaved his waythrough before Brendan O'Sullivan brought him down and Parkin added asecond from the spot.

Five minutes into the second halfAppleby threatened to put the final out of sight with a fourth goal whenMartin finished off another flowing move by beating Wood at the secondattempt.

You sensed Appleby felt they had done enough to liftthe trophy and Staveley kept the interest alive with 20 minutes left whenChris Bell hooked a shot on to the angle of the goal and it rebounded offCowper's chest into the net.

It was Staveley's aerial threatwhich held out most hope as they pressed hard to get back into contentionbut their third goal to make it 4-3 arrived too late to make adifference.

Four minutes of injury time had expired when Bell's strength told again as he rose to nod in acorner.