FC Petrocub bring home the London Senior Trophy
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It will be a night that is remembered for a long time by all those present at Sporting Club Thamesmead on Tuesday night who saw FC Petrocub lift the London Senior Trophy, defeating the reigning champions, Tooting Bec in front of over three hundred supporters.
A competition which has been largely dominated over the years by sides from the Southern Counties East Football League, this year it will be a step seven side from north of the river who put their name on the magnificent silverware following a terrific 2-0 win from the Essex Alliance League Senior Division side.
An expectedly cagey start to the contest saw neither side really trouble the other's defence with shots from distance and an acrobatic overhead kick from FC Petrocub the closest any side came to scoring early on. But that all changed just after the half hour as a free-kick was floated in from the right into the Tooting box, nodded back across goal where Ion Spinu was on hand to bury at the far post to give his side a 1-0 lead heading towards the break. Tooting did respond well and twice went close with drives from outside the box but neither was able to hit the target and the score remained.
That goal really gave confidence to FC Petrocub who came out strong early in the second half, hitting the bar with a header from another set piece before Tooting saw their best spell of the game, troubling their opposition's defence with a number of free-kicks earned on the edge of the box. But with twenty minutes to go, Petrocub all but sealed the crown, netting from close range after some great work down the right to make it 2-0. Moments later however, it was looking like game on as Tooting won a penalty. But cometh the hour, cometh the man - Alexandru Daraban with an unbelieveable save to thwart a fightback.
And with the referee having played an additional six minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle heralded scenes of jubilence amongst the three-hundred strong crowd who had certainly played their part in creating a magical atmosphere, as well as drinking the bar dry.
Many congratulations to Adrian and his side on such a great performance on the biggest stage, demonstrating the strength and depth of talent that is beginning to develop in the league.