23rd April 2006 - Ernie Osborne Challenge Cup FinalFenn Wright Albion 3 - 2 AFC Lexden
Alresford FC, Ford Lane, Alresford
Referee: A.Arnot
Assistants: S.Lewis & C.Fountain
The match kicked off with AFC Lexden, who had the slope in their favour, mounting the early pressure. After 15 minutes their striker, Rick Cranfield, latched onto the ball and with the Fenn Wright Albion keeper off of his line chipped the ball into the net from the edge of the box. (0 - 1)
Just two minutes later AfC Lexden went further ahead following a corner on their left. The ball fell to Rick Cranfield who crashed it into the net from four yards to complete a double. (0 - 2)
Fenn Wright Albion, stung by these two goals, then mounted a series of raids on the AFC Lexden goal but were unable to find the net and the teams went into the interval with AFC Lexden 2-0 ahead.
With the slope in their favour in the second half Fenn Wright Albion kept the ball in the opponents half of the pitch for much of the time. With 65 minutes played a cross from the right by a Fenn Wright Albion defender found striker Anthony White on the edge of the box and following some good control he coolly stroked the ball into the net from six yards. (1 - 2)
This goal spurred on the Fenn Wright Albion players and their team equalised three minutes later. A diagonal pass found striker Darren Revie on the right and he curled the ball into the net from just inside the box. (2 - 2)
Fenn Wright Albion continued to press forward and with just fifteen minutes remaining they sent a through down the middle which Darren Revie collected after outpacing the AFC Lexden defence. He then cleverly steered the ball past the advancing goalkeeper and into the net to put his team ahead. (3 - 2)
In the closing stages of the game AFC Lexden mounted a series of attacks on the opposing goal but with the Fenn Wright Albion defence holding firm they were unable to find the net. Overall it was a good competitive closely fought game that was well controlled by referee Adrian Arnott and his assistants.
Result: Fenn Wright Albion FC 3 - 2 AFC Lexden FC
The AFC Lexden goalkeeper gathers the ball.
An AFC Lexden player setting up an attack.
Mr Ernie Osborne along with the cup that he presented to the Colchester & District Sunday Football League some 30 years ago and the medals prior to the presentation.
Ernie Osborne presenting the "Man of the Match" trophy and tankard to Darren Revie the Fenn Wright Albion striker and double goal scorer.
The "Runners Up Cup" being presented to Paul Bleck the Captain of AFC Lexden.
Steve Wright the captain of Fenn Wright Albion receiving the Ernie
Osborne Challenge Cup.
Fenn Wright Albion players showing off their cup and medals having just won the Ernie Osborne Challenge Cup Final.
