Excellent Ellis is Shootout Hero

AFC Lynn lifted the One Broker Veterans Cup after beating Loddon United on penalties.

Neither side were able to create any meaningful chances in the opening minutes with Loddon United having most of the possession. The Loddon Wingers: Christopher Bacon and Tibor Megyesi were causing the Lynn backline problems with their direct running but were unable to find the final ball to unlock the defense.

Ben Ellis, in the AFC Lynn goal, was called into action in the tenth minute when Gary Summons struck a venomous free kick goalwards from 25 yards out. Ellis did well to get his fists behind the ball and punch the ball away from danger.

The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when Adam Key latched onto a driven through ball and appeared to be one-on-one with Paul Stebbings in the Loddon goal. Instead of shooting himself, Key calmly rolled the ball into the path of the onrushing Jason Chilton who smashed the ball home from inside the penalty area.

After scoring the opening goal, Lynn grew into the game more and began to enjoy spells of possession in the Loddon half. Adam Key’s hold up play was proving a challenge for Loddon centre backs, Thomas Baylis and David Redford as Key was able to bring others into the Lynn attacks.

The West Norfolk side doubled their lead minutes before Deivydas Andriuskevicius blew his whistle for half time. Andrew Wood whipped an in swinging corner from the right towards the far post where Jason Chilton rose highest to nod the ball home and give his side a two goal advantage heading into the second period.

Half Time: Loddon United FC 0 – 2 AFC Lynn

The first meaningful chance of the second half went to AFC Lynn when Tom Chilton lined up a free kick from 20 yards out. His whipped effort sailed just wide of the post and had left Stebbings motionless in the United goal.

Barely a minute later, Loddon had their best chance of the game as Daniel Hawkie latched onto a though ball and toe poked an effort goalwards. Ellis was equal to the shot and with help of his covering defenders, AFC Lynn managed to clear the ball.

Chances continued to fall for Loddon midway through the half as Baylis’ swivelled effort was blocked well and Megyesi had a free kick from 25 yards out brush the crossbar.

Loddon got their reward  in the 70th minute as Summons rose highest to nod the ball down to strike partner, Hawkie. The frontman took the ball in his stride and leathered the ball into the far corner past the diving Ellis.

Less than two minutes later, Loddon found the equaliser thanks to Andriuskevicius pointing to the spot and awarding a penalty. The spot kick was given for a holding offense off the ball and Steven Shipley calmly slotted the ball into the corner as Ellis dived the wrong way. It was game on!

Jason Chilton had a chance in the dying second to win it for AFC Lynn after being played through by Key. His shot took a deflection off Baylis and Stebbings somehow managed to change his stance to claw the ball away from danger.

Ben Ellis was the hero for AFC Lynn as he saved two penalty kicks in the shootout to allow his side to win 4-2 on spot kicks and lift the One Broker Veterans Cup trophy.

Final Score: Loddon United FC 2 – 2* AFC Lynn *Won 4-2 on penalty kicks

Line ups:

Loddon United: Paul Stebbings, Christopher Hancock, David Redford, Thomas Baylis, Andrew Zagden, Steven Shipley, Daniel Hawkie, Christopher Bacon, Richard Summons ©, Gary Summons & Tibor Megyesi.

Subs: Mark Gricks, Bradley Stone, Martin Nicholson, David Johnson & Michael Adcock.

AFC Lynn: Ben Ellis, Chris Maslin, Kevin Leggett, Ash Smith, Neil Goodbourn, Kevin White ©, Andrew Wood, Tom Chilton, Jason Chilton, Adam Key & Lee Toll.

Subs: Shaun Germaney, Darren Thorpe, Kenzie Corbett, Stu Gallon & Mathew Anderson.

Referee: Deivydas Andriuskevicius

Assistant Referees: Simon Walls & Jason Ding

Fourth Official: Darren Syder

Attendance: 345

Player of the Match: Ben Ellis – AFC Lynn

Photography: Ben Cunningham