Grange Athletic 1 New Brighton Reserves 1, 2-3 on penalties

May 8 2003 Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

LIGHTNING struck twice for Grange Athletic as they lost to New Brighton Reserves in the West Cheshire Shield final for the second successive year at Heswall FC's Gayton Park on Saturday.

Unlucky Grange went down 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out showdown after a tense two-hour affair ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

New Brighton, who had won last season's final 2-1 after extra time, struck the first blow in an energetic opening on 12 minutes as Graham Edge scored at the second opportunity when pouncing on a loose ball after his own shot had been saved by Neil Ebbrell.

Grange levelled proceedings six minutes later when deadball expert Carl Burns chipped a pinpoint free-kick from the left wing towards Rob Roberts, who headed past Joel Huston from close range.

Despite a similar flurry from both sides after the break, neither team was able to break the deadlock again.

Grange enjoyed a brief purple patch with Rob Chapman almost converting Mark Ringstead's cross, while Burns dribbled his way through three New Brighton defenders in the area before being crowded out.

Paul Cupit came closest to winning the game for New Brighton but was denied by a terrific reflex save from Ebbrell, who turned the ball away for a corner kick and the game went into extra time.

Grange's weary warriors managed to hold out for another 30 minutes despite dropping like flies throughout the latter stages as many of their players suffered cramp.

But despite Ebbrell saving spot-kicks from his opposite number Huston and Mike Whelan in the shoot-out, Grange were beaten 3-2 on penalties as substitute Boden's shot was blocked, Graham Roberts struck the upright and Steve Griffiths dragged their final effort wide of the post.

Grange Athletic: Neil Ebbrell, Phil Selby, John Reynolds, Graham Roberts, Craig Newnes, Mark Ringstead, Paul Davies, Rob Chapman, Steve Griffiths, Carl Burns, Rob Roberts.

* Cammell Laird Reserves captured the West Cheshire Bowl for the seventh time last Wednesday as they defeated Heswall Reserves 2-1 in the final at Vauxhall FC's Rivacre Park.

Substitutes Brian Fofana and Paul Haddock netted as the Birkenhead side came from behind to win after John Brunt had put Heswall ahead.

* West Kirby secured the Wirral Senior Cup for the sixth time on Friday as they edged out Mallaby 2-1 after extra time, with strikes from James Evans and MoM Paul Connor after Lee Gibson had opened the scoring for the Birkenhead Park-based outfit.