HADCROFT Rovers secured cup joy with a narrow victory over Wollaston Harriers.

The Dudley and Cradley League's Horace Benjamin Trophy final went the way of the Rovers as they secured a 3-2 success last Friday.

The sun was to play a part in the first half with Wollaston winning the toss and selecting the right hand end which meant that Neil Coles in the Hadcroft was looking directly into a bright low setting sun and was restricted in what he could see.

The first 15 minutes was a game of cat and mouse with both teams trying to find their feet on a hard pitch with neither creating any real chances. Hadcroft created the first real chance on 16 minutes when a corner was headed out by the Wollaston defence with the ball finding its way to Adam Glaze on the right who sent in an excellent cross that was met in the six yard box by the head of Paul Morrey who sent it into the roof of the net.

On 20 minutes, another Hadcroft corner went close when Chris Smith had his shot deflected round the post.

Wollaston drew level on the half hour mark when a long ball over the top was collected by Matt Bird who tipped it over the unsighted Hadcroft keeper Neil Coles.

Despite an open end to the half, the sides went in level at the break.

The start to the second half was electric and on three minutes Hadcroft had a corner on the left the ball was sent in and a hand from a Wollaston player resulted in a spot kick for Hadcroft that Chris Smith stepped up to dispatch.

Whilst Hadcroft were almost still celebrating their lead Wollaston had a free kick wide out on the left, the ball was sent in and man of the match James Mason rose above the entire Hadcroft defense to head home the equaliser.

The winner came Hadcoft's way in the final ten minutes. Another free kick from the right was swung in but this time it was Matthew Baker that rose first and sent the ball in to the back of the net.

Wollaston were reduced to 10 men following a red card after Hadcroft had scored.

Meanwhile, in the Premier Division two days later, Hadcroft Rovers played out a 1-1 draw against Phoenix.

It was no typical end of season game, however, with both teams creating chances and missing chances with Liam Evans in the Phoenix goal making several fine saves and somehow it was 0 – 0 at half time.

Phoenix took the lead on 53 minutes with a goal from Steve Marsh before the hosts drew level on 66 minutes through David Brookes.