The second Essex Alliance Football League Cup Final took place on Wednesday evening at Victoria Road and it pitted Divison Three winners Wapping against runners up Custom House in the Division Three Cup Final.
And with only three points separating the sides in the table this was seen as a potentially decent final. Another decent crowd of over 200 were in attendance in the bright May sunshine to see if this would be the case.
And after only two minutes the Wapping boys had their noses in front and what a goal it was too as a blockbuster of an effort from way out by Fuad Ibrahim beat keeper Ian Whitmore, who did get a big hand on it, to see the ball nestle in the top corner.
Custom House almost responded to this early setback instantly though after seeing an effort land on the roof of the net before moments later another effort was volleyed inches over the Wapping crossbar. It had been a terrific start.
In the 13th minute it was almost two for Wapping as they saw an effort saved by Whitmore before the rebound bounced off a defender and dribbled just wide and then moments later a great ball released Wapping in on goal but they could only loft the effort effort over the bar.
However in the 21st minute Wapping did increase their lead when skipper Karl Blake run onto a corner to power home a close range header and give the Blues a tight grip on proceedings.
In the 25th minute Wapping went close again as an effort from inside box waw saved by Whitmore and you felt the next goal in this contest would be crucial. Five minutes before break Custom House went close as they rifled an effort inches over from the edge of the box and a minute before the break they saw another effort goes over after a corner caused Wapping some concern.
But right on half time Custom House did get that all important goal when Nils Welham glanced home a header into the far corner and it meant that Wapping would go into the break only one goal ahead.
Half Time Wapping 2 Custom House 1
However just three minutes after the restart Wapping restored their two goal cushion after Nathan Ake converted from close range and Custom House had it all to do once again.
They tried their best to get back into the contest and in the 56th minute a deep cross towards Wappings back post found Tim Mason who could only head into the side netting, whilst just past the hour Jack Field tried his luck from range and saw Wapping keeper Kristian Konichev make a real meal of the effort, allowing it to bounce off his chest, but no one was following in so the keeper gathered the loose ball.
And then midway through the half Wapping increased their lead further still when a great cross from Ibraham found player manager Adel Mouaden who headed home superbly and you felt the game could well be over at that stage.
Custom House to their credit didn't give up and in the 73rd minute were screaming for a penalty after Richard Bazeley appeared to be impeded going for the ball, but nothing was given, however with eleven minutes to go they did pull a goal back when a John Chapman free kick was well saved by Konichev, but the ball squirmed free and was turned back across goal for Welham to turn home from close range.
Another goal back would of made things interesting but this didn't materialise and in the 92nd minute Wapping almost made it safe when a free kick was headed off the line whilst down the other end Custom House saw an effort blocked after a good run by Mason and then a free kick swung into the Wapping box by Chapman was eventually headed wide although the flag had gone up.
And after several minutes of stoppage time the referee blew for full time and Wapping had claimed a league and Cup double in their first ever season.
Full Time Wapping 4 Custom House 2
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