Lancashire coach Pete Wild was understandably full of praise for his FA County Youth Cup Final heroes, and especially delighted for the player he calls his ‘secret weapon’.
Wild's side beat Suffolk FA 3-2 in extra-time to clinch their prize, and it was flying winger Cory Bent who came off the bench after 75 minutes to put the Suffolk defence to the sword with his darting runs and trickery.
And, after 2-2 draw in normal time, it was Bent who popped up with the most dramatic of winners just minutes before it looked like penalties would settle this Final.
Suffolk 2-3 Lancashire (AET)
FA County Youth Cup Final
Portman Road, Ipswich
Saturday 26 April 2014
For Suffolk, playing on home soil, it was a bitter pill to swallow after contributing so much to an entertaining Final at Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground.
But it was Lancashire who emerged as winners for the fifth time in the competition’s 70-year history, and boss Wild was thrilled that his side’s commitment and determination had been rewarded.
He said: “It was a game which really ebbed and flowed. We started nervously, then bossed it for a bit and then after they equalised they looked like they could go on and win it.
“But these lads never give up and the determination they have shown in situations like today is phenomenal. They have a never-say-die attitude which is quite frightening.”
Cory Bent celebrates winning The Cup for Lancashire
As for match winner Bent, he added: “It was always the plan to bring him off the bench with 15-20 minutes to go, as we have done on numerous occasions this season.
“He came on as sub in the Semi-Final and scored the winner, and he has done it again today. He runs and runs, has so much energy and speed and I’m delighted for him. He’s been our secret weapon.”
For Suffolk boss Andy Reynolds it was quite literally a case of lifting his heart-broken players off the floor as the pain of defeat was all too clear to see at the final whistle.
But, like his opposite number Wild, he was filled with pride after a display which was arguably deserving of more than a runners-up medal.
Lancashire FA celebrate with The FA County Youth Cup
He said: “We are all disappointed, of course we are, but I cannot fault the players in any way, shape or form for the effort they have put in once again.
“Towards the end we had players going down with cramp, others trying to play on through injury and eventually it took its toll. But I am proud of each and every one of them.
“Now they will go back to their respective clubs and they need to learn from this experience, the ups and downs, and use it to improve themselves as players. I’m sure they will.”
