Favourites Soak Up Pressure Before Stepping Up a Gear

IDEAL 3, DAGENHAM SPORTS 1

Ideal came to defend their trophy and found themselves up against it in the first half. Dagenham Sports dominated the first 45 minutes and were more than a little unfortunate to head into the break still level. A great chance went begging just before the interval, and it came following a period of sustained pressure. But the second half was a different story and Andrew Brown looped a shot over Chris Clarke in the Sports goal. With about 12 minutes to go, Lance Alfred pounced on a rebound from the keeper to double the lead but then had to watch in awe as a rasping 30 yarder from Dagenham's Drew Steele halved their advantage. With a minuted left on the clock however, a penalty was awarded which gave Ideal a chance to restore a two-goal advantage. Francis Siziba, the captain, stepped up to confidently ram home the spot-kick and spark early celebrations from the stands in anticipation of the return of the Charlie White Cup.