Mark Davison’s fine hat-trick inspired Humbledon Plains Farm to victory over Oyster Martyrs in an enthralling FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup Final at Ewood Park.
Liverpool outfit Oyster, current Sunday Cup holders, were favourites beforehand, yet Humbledon deservedly went ahead through Aaron Croft’s powerful shot on five minutes.
Humbledon, last winners of the competition in 1990, looked intent on securing victory early as a Davison effort was then only thwarted by a superb headed block from Oyster full-back Jonathan Swatton.
Humbledon Plains Farm 5-2 Oyster Martyrs
The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup Final
Sunday 27 April 2014
Ewood Park, Blackburn
Swatton was again in the right place when his cross from the left flank flew over Humbledon ‘keeper Neal Atkinson to make it 1-1 against the run of play.
The relentless pace continued and Humbledon’s James Fairly should have made it 2-1 when clean through but placed his effort wide. The Durham side didn’t have to wait long to celebrate, though, as Davison then scored with a fine half-volley.
If Humbledon thought they could relax they were hugely mistaken. Straight from the restart Oyster created space for Jamie Rainford on the edge of the box; the number nine made it 2-2 with an exact finish to the bottom corner.
With just 18 minutes gone both sides appeared to take a well-earned breather and neither goalkeeper was tested until the 37th minute as Humbledon’s Atkinson pushed away a Leighton McGivern effort.
Humbledon Plains Farm celebrate at Ewood Park
When the same duo resumed their battle the striker appeared to be clipped by the outrushing shot-stopper, but kept his balance only to see his shot cleared off the line.
The second period started more sedately, that was until Davison pounced to bury the ball in the top corner for his second goal of the afternoon.
His striker partner Chris Winn was soon joining him on the score sheet after a fine passing move concluded with him hooking in a volley.
And then the focus returned to Davison as he completed his hat-trick with a header into the far corner to seal victory.
Humbledon Plains Farm, 2014 FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup winners
Humbledon Plains Farm: Atkinson; Marshal (O’Neil 85), Wardle, Paxton, McGuiness; Croft (Johnson 39), Fairly, Coghlan, Davis (Kane 81); Winn, Davison.
Unused subs: Shields, Fryatt.
Bookings: Johnson 76
Oyster Martyrs: Mano; Agger (Riley 77), Dames, Rendell, Swatton; Turner, Porter, Smith (Moore 77), Rimmer; Rainford, McGivern.
Unused subs: Garritty, Forshaw, MacDonough
Bookings: Agger 33
Referee C. Boyeson
