The Final Verdict

Oyster Martyrs deservedly won the Sunday Cup at Prenton Park with a close fought victory over their local rivals Paddock.

After a largely uninspired first half, where chances were restricted to long range free kicks, the game belatedly sprang to life in the 75th minute, when a throw in from the left was headed on at the near post and found prolific marksman Leighton McGivern, whose low shot nestled in to the bottom left hand corner of the goal. You have to feel sorry for Paddock keeper Robert O’Connor, whose view of McGivern’s shot was obscured by his own defenders, thus giving him no chance of making a save.

Oyster came close to doubling their lead two minutes later, when a vicious shot from Graham Rooney was turned over by O’Connor. A header from Oyster Captain Tony Rendell, from the resulting corner, was headed off the line, as Oyster went for the kill.

Paddock’s best effort came with only 5 minutes remaining, when after a short spell of pressure, a shot from the edge of the penalty box sailed just wide of the Oyster goal.

A crude attempt to win a penalty from Paddock’s semi final hero Jamie Henders in the dying minutes was deserving of a yellow card. However, referee Russell Booth resisted booking the big target man for his blatant dive!

For years now, I’ve wanted to travel to Merseyside to watch two Liverpool teams lock horns in this wonderful competition. Sadly, neither side was able to recapture the form that has between them, seen off the likes of Hetton Lyons, Huddersfield Irish Centre and Duke of York.

This was the first time I have watched Paddock and I feel they gave a poor showing of themselves today. I’m sure they are capable of better. As for Oyster, I have seen them 5 times over the past few years and I know they can play a lot better than I saw them yesterday.

Perhaps I’m being harsh on both sides, after all, the chance to play in such a final only falls to a small number of players and the occasion is bound to effect even the most experienced and skilful of players.

Man of the Match: Leighton McGivern

Attendance: 1,105