Submitted by Andrew Grout on behalf of Mason Norton from the home of Loughborough Dynamo, Tuesday 14th May

“On a fine summer evening at Nanpantan Sports Ground, two heavyweights of the Senior League Premier Division, Champions Allexton and New Parks took on top 4 Aylestone Park Reserves in the Everards Tiger League Cup final.

The game did not disappoint as Aylestone edged out Allexton 1-0 in a gritty enthralling battle.  Top marks to Referee, Simon Fradley and his assistants, Micheal Scriven & Cameron McGuiness who let the game flow.  They were supported by 4th official Ashley Hastings.

Aylestone scored what turned out to be the winner on 8 mins when Shea Bates and Marley Spencer combined with Shea sending in a peach of a cross that Marley took advantage of to slot home.  The goal sparked Allexton into life and both teams went toe to toe.  Credit to both Keepers Allexton’s Freddie Young and Aylestone’s keeper Austin Parish for keeping both sides in it as chances were created.  Just before half-time, from a corner Allexton hit the cross bar and in the follow-up had a shot cleared off the line.

Half-time went with both teams still in the game.  The 2nd half can be broken down into two sections.  The first 25 mins, Allexton bossed the game and bombarded the Aylestone penalty area but luck was not on their side.  The last 20 mins with Allexton running on empty after a long successive season, was Aylestone’s as they managed the game and run the clock down.  Aylestone had chances to extend the lead but that would have been hard on Allexton.

The full-time whistle went with Aylestone Park the victors and the 1st reserve side to win the League Cup since Kettering back in the 70’s.

Congratulations to Aylestone Park on lifting the cup and congratulations to Allexton And New Parks on a fine season that resulted in the Championship and promotion to Step 6.  Everyone connected to the Senior league wish them well in the National League system.
Submitted by
Andrew Grout,
Secretary Ellistown FC
County FA Council Member
For Mason Norton whose own side Hathern FC, the Everards Brewery Premier Division runners up, went down 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Leicestershire County FA Senior Cup Final against Kirby Muxloe of the UCL on the same night