Trojans live up to their name with gritty Knockout Cup win

Call Care Trojans are Marlborough Football’s 2021 Knockout Cup champions after dethroning reigning champs Central Wolves 4-2 at Athletic Park today.

Trojans have found some superb form, especially late in the season, capping a lengthy unbeaten run with a well-deserved cup victory.

Both sides struggled to adapt to the vagaries of a strong nor’westerly wind which Trojans had at their backs from the outset.

However, the men in orange made a stellar start. Within two minutes they had their first goal, Jack Morris pouncing on a goalmouth fumble from Wolves’ keeper Greg Stretch. Almost from the re-start they doubled their advantage, their ever-dangerous front-runner Tomas Lupani picking up the ball on the right and sliding it into the Wolves’ goal.

To their credit, Central regrouped quickly and within five minutes had dragged the scoreline back to 2-1. Their attacking duo of Steve McCaa and Scott Wilkinson combined to create pressure in the Trojans goal mouth, forcing a defender to play the ball with his hand.

McCaa stepped up and drove home the penalty from the spot, completing a frantic start to the decider.

Surprisingly, that scoreline remained until halftime although McCaa put the ball in the net midway through the half before being adjudged offside.

The early goals set up an open encounter and, with the breeze causing all sorts of problems for defenders, chances came readily at both ends, both keepers being regularly called into action.

After the break it took only three minutes for Lupani to again find the back of the net, but he suffered the same fate as McCaa previously, the officials flagging for offside.

Central, with the wind at their backs, began to dominate territorially and looked more likely to grab an equaliser. However, it was Trojans who struck next, Morris showing fine touch to chip the ball past Stretch from close range after a superb ball from Scott Barnes had put him in scoring position.

The cup holders knew they had to score next and did just that, McCaa notching his second in the 75th minute after a well-timed cross from substitute Matt McCormick had created the opening.

As time ticked down Wolves threw more men forward and saw a McCaa header flash just over the bar.

A few minutes later came the final, and decisive, strike. Replacement Lincoln Ellsworth showed skill to get into the box where he was felled by a desperate tackle from Central defender Nick Rayner.

A penalty was awarded, which Ellsworth coolly converted, and the Trojans’ sideline faithful began to celebrate.

Five minutes later the referee blew fulltime and the players were able to join their fans.

Trojans skipper Kevin Huxtable was delighted with his side’s win.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “We are very, very happy, the boys are delighted.

“Our season started off a bit rough then it picked up … this will be the 13^th game in a row we have gone unbeaten.

“The team has really gelled well – both on defence and in attack.”

Having beaten Wolves previously this season Trojans went into the match in a positive frame of mind. “We were confident and just kept fighting for it. It’s a great result for the club too ... we have got quite a few players wanting to join us for next season.

“But tonight, we plan to have a few too many beers,” he added with a chuckle.

There were many heroes in the Trojans line-up, from back to front, with Lupani, Dario Salinas, Morris, Ellsworth and Huxtable prominent up front. Defensively they all played a part, central defender Brayden Livingstone combining well with Harris Morrell and Dylan Rugman, plus keeper Graeme Steel, at the back. But ultimately the whole side epitomised the Trojan spirit of hard work and commitment which goes with the club’s name.

Wolves, who scored eight in their previous match, were found wanting defensively early and never fully recovered. Having to chase the game throughout, in tricky conditions, proved a bridge too far.

McCaa and Wilkinson posed a threat up front, Sam Boyce and Matthew Stretch worked hard in the centre of the field, while Paddy Stephens and Andrew McCaa were reliable in defence.

Trojans 4 (Jack Morris 2, Tomas Lupani, Lincoln Ellsworth pen) Wolves 2 (Steve McCaa, pen). HT: 2-1 Trojans.