Hornets' young guns hint at bright future
Dandy Town
n League Champions
n PDL Martonmere Cup
(defeated Boulevard 5-4 on penalties)
It was a season to cherish for Dandy Town who lifted both the Premier Division title and Martonmere Cup as coach Leroy Wilson capped off a fine first year at the helm.
Hornets came back from the depths of the league table at Christmas to win every game in the second half of the season apart from their defeat against North Village, who finished runners-up.
It was a tense finish to the season with the title race going right down to the wire and it was no surprise when Hornets' spark plug, Nahki Wells, stole the show and grabbed a brace to ensure his team beat PHC to lift their first title since 2003/04.
The emergence of talented youngsters such as George Dyer, Jahmel Swan and Shaun Brown also suggest that Hornets have a bright future to look forward to.
"We worked hard throughout the season, even when our backs were against the wall and in the relegation zone, we stuck together and got through the rough patch and now we are reaping the rewards of our hard work," said captain Jared Peniston.
"This feeling is great considering how I have come back home after a year at Village, and to be holding the league title is a great feeling.
"When you look at our team you see harmony and it shows on the pitch.
"We come out to play every week, train hard and this is the reward you get."
Devonshire Cougars
n FA Cup
(defeated Somerset Eagles 5-4 on penalties)
Last year's Premier Division champions ended the season with the one title that had always eluded them, the prestigious FA Cup.
Down by two goals at half time and with the just minutes remaining on the clock, the FA Cup seemed certain to be heading to White Hill Field until Darius Cox's flighted pass from the halfway line somehow drifted into the net to send the game into extra time.
Inspirational player/coach Kwame Steede reduced his team's deficit midway through the second period.
In extra time goalkeeper Ricardo Brangman jr. dived low to his left to save Damon Swan's penalty, which turned out to be the deciding factor with Domico Coddington scoring his team's fifth and final spot-kick to secure the Big Cats their first ever FA Cup title.
Cougars had previously never won a trophy in a season without also lifting the league title.
"I can't find the right words to describe this," said Steede.
"It's been a really long season for me as I have been coaching as well as playing, so to win the FA Cup in my first season is unbelievable.
"It was a great game and one I hope the fans enjoyed.
"We never gave up and got our rewards."
North Village
n Dudley Eve
(defeated PHC 2-1 on penalties)
n Friendship Trophy
(defeated Southampton Rangers 3-2 aet)
North Village won the first title of the season by beating PHC as well as their tenth Friendship Trophy with a thrilling extra time win over Southampton Rangers.
In both games, the Rams were down in the final minutes and needed something special.
In the Dudley Eve, it was Ralph Bean jr. who struck in –injury time and then Jason Williams showed his class by saving three penalties in the shootout.
Unlikely hero Jahmal Boyles proved to be their saviour in the Friendship, with the impish midfielder firing home with the last kick of the game to cancel out Kamen Tucker's first minute penalty. Tyrell Burgess and Vernon Tankard then jumped off the bench to grab goals and make certain the title went to Bernard Park.
Tucker managed to pull one back by scoring his second penalty of the game, but it was too little too late for Rangers.
"We're delighted to win another trophy and it's been a great season for us," said coach Shaun Goater.
"I feel as though this team is developing nicely."