Last updated at 13:26, Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Parkland 3 Brampton 2: After gaining promotion to the Carlisle City Sunday League Premier Division, Parkland’s victory over Brampton in the Nichol Signs League Cup final before a crowd of 200 was the icing on the cake.

Parkland's Liam Gray

There was early action at both ends and Brampton took the lead in the 15th minute when Martyn Coward ghosted into the area unmarked from Carl Phillips’ free-kick to get a vital touch into the bottom corner.

Parkland retaliated quickly as Simon Tucker’s free-kick from just outside the box shaded the upright.

And they survived a scare when Richard Ridley was a toe’s length away from sliding in Andy McKinnell’s sweeping cross.

Moments later Craig Thompson blasted his shot over the top after being set up by Elliot Bell.

Four minutes before the break Parkland squared matters when James Tose’s shot took a slight deflection to deceive keeper Adam Coward.

Three minutes after the changeover Parkland’s Jonathan Simpson jinked his way past several defenders and his enterprise was rewarded when he found Luke Wordsworth who swept his side into a 2-1 lead.

But Brampton found a way back into the match seven minutes later when Martyn Coward found space to run into and unleashed a great volley from 40 yards well out of the reach of keeper Dougie Lindsay who later produced a brave block at the feet of Richard Ridley who had broke clear for goal.

Parkland had a great chance to regain the advantage but Tucker could only nod Simpson’s free-kick into the arms of the keeper.

Their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when Ashley Combe was razor sharp in lashing the ball home fo finish off Ben Greenslade’s free-kick.

Elliot Bell might have snatched a quick-fire leveller but was foiled by Dan Greenslade’s timely tackle and Phillips wriggled free inside the box but his drive found the side-netting.

Five minutes from the end he put the ball into the back of the net only to see his effort disallowed for offside.

On the league front the Premiership clash between Harraby Catholic and Spinners turned out to be a nine-goal thriller.

Spinners went 2-0 up after 25 minutes through Mike Warwick and Jamie Heath but Mark Boyd pulled one back in the 37th minute.

Warwick struck again four minutes after the turn then Mark McKenzie’s header pulled it back to 3-2.

And Boyd hit a great long-range free-kick to put the sides level in the 64th minute.

Three minutes later McKenzie put his penalty kick wide of the mark and it proved to be costly because within two minutes Heath broke away to put Spinners 4-3 up.

Dean Lamonby’s cross was snapped up by Guiseppe Amato in the 82nd minute to make it 4-4 and with the last kick of the match Boyd’s free-kick took a wicked deflection to leave keeper Steve Cotter helpless.

After beating Red Lion 1-0 in the County Cup final Green Bank were crowned champions being awarded the points when Spinners failed to raise a team.

Parkland rested several players for the cup final and were duly punished 9-0 by Second Division champions Arroyo.

Chris Bowes (4), Ross Irving, Martin Hickson, Kelvin James, Aaron Roberts and Lee Tedford made up the winner’s tally.

Undefeated Fourth Division champions St Nicholas Arms completed their season with a 4-2 win over Carlisle Spartans thanks to Ian Grainger (2), Chris Grainger and Paul Lord.

Berkay Topal claimed both for the losers and followed up by beating Stanwix Crown 2-0 with strikes by Chris Grainger and Dale Manuira.

Five clubs have applied to join the league whose AGM will be held on Wednesday, June 20.

First published at 11:31, Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk