Premier League Runners-Up FRANK PARKER FC were able to pick up the trophy for the 5th time against League One Champions COLLYCROFT ROYAL OAK WARRIORS FC appearing in their first TRIBUNE FINAL.

NUNEATON TRIBUNE "OPEN"CHALLENGE FINAL
(Sponsored by STUART PLUMBING)

Frank Parker FC 4 - 1 Collycroft Royal Oak Warriors FC

Sponsored by STUART PLUMBING,

Premier League Runners-Up FRANK PARKER FC were able to pick up the trophy for the 5th time against League One Champions COLLYCROFT ROYAL OAK WARRIORS FC appearing in their first TRIBUNE FINAL.

Before a good crowd at the Pavilion the one thing on everyone's mind was who would come out on top, in this intriguing final.

The early exchanges were fairly even with each seeing their fair share of the ball, Collycroft were pressing from the off but a formidable Parkers rear-guard kept them at bay. Frank Parker's we now mounting an offensive and on 15 minutes the breakthrough came. JOSH THOMPSON planted a long throw into the box, which fell to GEORGE PARKER at the far post to bundle PARKERS into an early lead.

THE OAK are a side of real quality and they were keen to get playmaker DANIEL CASSIDY on to the ball, and he went close, ensuring everyone that the LEAGUE ONE CHAMPIONs meant business. But in the blink of an eye it was 2-0, and what a goal.

Mikkel Hirst found LEVI ANDOH midway in the OAK half, who seeing goalkeeper JAGPREET SINGH slightly off his line, chipped an exquisite chip from fully 30 yards which looped over the keeper to nestle in the roof of the net.

Cant take your eyes off this one, when COLLYCROFT were back in contention on 21 minutes. DANNIEL CASSIDY latched on to a poor back pass before sliding in TAYLOR BLYTH beat PARKERS keeper FIN OSBORN to make it 2-1. Now the OAK were on top and BLYTH shot wide after being put in by RHYS HILTON.

ANDOH was causing the OAK a few problems, with his pace and on 40 minutes a blistering rundown the left, outpacing the defence before crossing to LEROY LITA, whose deft touch to JOSH THOMPSON, who makes no mistake for 3-1 and its half time.

After the break DANIEL MONGER looked lively, pressing the PARKERS back line, but back came PARKERS and THE OAK and centre back pairing of JACK BURCHALL and ELWALID ELHAGHANY were doing well to control PARKERS front two of LITA and WATTS.

The pace was intensive and referee ROB CAIRNS was on his toes to ensure peace prevailed.
As the game entered the last 10 minutes, the game was effectively settled when PARKERS netted their 4th. JOSH THONPSON slotting a ball through to LIROY LITA who made no mistake.

The final whistle, hand shakes all round in a well contested final, giving PARKERS their 5th success in the TRIBUNE CUP, and for the OAK promoted to the PREMIER LEAGUE the hunger to return as soon as possible for more.

The Parker's goals coming from (Player of the Match) LEVI ANDOH, GEORGE PARKER, LEROY LITA and JOSH THOMPSON, with TAYLOR BLYTH replying for the Oak.

Congratulation's to both teams, and to the Match Officials of ROB CAIRNS, HARRY ORGAN, MIKE SMITH and LEE JONES .

Big THANKYOU to the STOCKINGFORD PAVILION for the hospitality extended to the NDSFL this season.