Len Mahoney Cup Final

BRITANNIA 2 DUKE OF ALBANY 2

(Duke won 3-1 on penalties after extra-time)

GOALKEEPER Paul Bosworth was the hero for the Duke of Albany as they secured an historic double with a 3-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Domino's Premiership side Britannia in the final of the Len Mahoney Cup at the Wessex Stadium.

Having already knocked out top-flight heavyweights the Black Dog and the Belvedere in the competition, the Championship title winners entered the Wessex clash as favourites but the resilient Brit fought back twice in normal time to push the Park Street side all the way.

The Duke signalled their intentions early on when Luke Tomlin's 30-yard free-kick forced keeper Martin Rutland to make a good stop in the opening minute.

They then took the lead through Sean Harris on 13 minutes when his cross-cum-shot evaded everyone and dropped into the far side of the net from 35 yards.

Stuart Burley replied with a header that fell wide before Chris Squibb broke through and had a shot saved by the feet of Bosworth as the Brit began to settle.

As the half went on Terry Oldrid and Dan Mitchell began to get hold of the midfield for the Portlanders and on 34 minutes the latter put Squibb through but again the forward failed to hit the target from eight yards.

Like in the first half the Duke came out after the break and began the better side with Harris having a 25-yard free-kick tipped over the bar by Rutland, who then held Pete Jarvis' header from the resulting corner.

The Brit keeper then made another good stop to deny Russell North before Oldrid tested Bosworth at the other end with a set-piece from 30 yards.

North missed another good chance moments later and after that the Brit enjoyed a period of sustained pressure with substitute Gary Harvey having an immediate impact.

That led to Burley having an effort tipped over the bar by Bosworth before the Duke created a glorious opening for Tomlin whose wild shot flew wide.

However, it was not long before Tomlin made amends, supplying a fabulous cross from a free-kick for man of the match Simon Ansell to head in from ten yards to make it 2-0.

With only ten minutes left the Brit could have easily dropped their heads but instead they threw caution to the wind.

And after Paul Helms made a stunning last-ditch tackle to deny the Duke's Darren Samways, the Premiership outfit got back in it with a penalty from Adam Dell after Don Wellman had been booked for fouling Squibb in the box on 84 minutes.

Samways then failed to connect with Steve Perry's cross at the far post before Oldrid levelled with just two minutes remaining from a 20-yard free-kick to shock the Duke and take the game into extra-time.

Burley, Squibb and Carlisle all went close for the Brit in the extra half-hour and Pearce had a near post effort saved by Rutland but the game remained level and moved into penalties.

Jamie Gifford netted the first spot-kick for the Duke but that was followed by three consecutive misses. Burley saw his effort saved by Bosworth, Rutland kept out Rob Sharpe and then Dell fired wide.

That enabled Ansell to double the advantage and although Oldrid reduced the deficit Samways followed up to make it 3-1 meaning Squibb had to score his to keep the Brit in it.

The striker stepped up confidently but fired his spot-kick over the bar causing the Duke players to mob Bosworth in celebration.

That result caps a fine inaugural season for the Duke who will no doubt be seen as one of the favourites to land next season's Premiership title.

Britannia: Rutland, Dell, Cornwall (Carlile 46), Helms, Squire, Bowler (Harvey 65), Mitchell, Oldrid, B Carlisle, Burley, Squibb.

Duke of Albany: Bosworth, Gifford, Harris, Wellman, Sharpe, Zima (Pearce 55), Jarvis, Ansell, Tomlin, North (Perry 81), Samways.

Man of the Match: Simon Ansell