Three Colts stun Docklands Albion to retain Division 1 Cup crown

Three Colts had an evening to remember as they tore up the form books to record a 2-1 victory against treble-hunting Docklands Albion in an enthralling cup final at Dagenham & Redbridge on Thursday night.

Docklands started the match the stronger of the two sides and tested the Colts keeper very early in proceedings as a long range, speculative free kick was tipped over the bar. Colts did get themselves into a couple of good attacking positions in the first quarter of an hour but the Docklands Albion keeper was alert to the chance and came off his line quickly to smother the effort. As the half wore on, it was all Docklands who's formation saw them push their full-backs on extremely well culminating in the chance of the half as the number 2 raced down the left and absolutely rifled an effort up and over the keeper which thudded back off the crossbar. They also had another great chance as the Docklands number 20 cut in from the left and shot hard at the near post but the Three Colts was down to make the save and the danger was cleared. The sides went in at the break at 0-0 with all to play for.

The second half started with a bang as, in the 54th minute of match, Three colts followed the well trodden pattern of the underdog so far this season in firing themselves into a 1-0 lead as the goal scorer found half a yard of space inside the box to net. And then just moments later, a glorious chance for Colts to double their lead came and went as the forward was found in acres of space, 6 yards out but shot wide in one of those "Will Gleeson" moments. He was firmly punished for that error when in the 75 minute, Docklands Albion drew level. The forward ran clean through between the defenders and slotted past the keeper to make it 1-1. At that point you feared for Colts but then came the big moment... 2 minutes after conceding, Colts were ahead again, taking advantage of poor marking from a corner to head in at the far post to make it 2-1! Docklands then had a chance ruled out for offside and hit the woodwork again with a stunning drive from distance coming back off the post in the dying moments. And that was it as the referee blew his whistle to confirm Three Colts as the Division 1 Cup Winners once again!

Congratulations to everybody involved with Three Colts on putting in such a fantastic performance to retain their trophy for another year. Commisserations to Docklands Albion who will rue those missed chances in the first half and were once again unplayable in spells.