Royston Steelers - 3
Paul Jackson 45 (+2)
Glenn Walton 70
Andy Hayward 86
Joker FC - 2
Rob Hayes – 36
Rob Branagan -57
A warm and sunny spring evening welcomed the finalists of the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Sunday Senior Challenge Cup to Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United. Both teams reached the final after beating off stiff competition, 3 nil respectively. Royston Steelers FC and Joker FC having scored a healthy rack of goals throughout the competition, made the promise of an entertaining final.
Joker dominated most of early possession, which came to fruition on 36 mins, Joker when Rob Hayes rolled the ball underneath the goalie just inside the box and into the net, 0 – 1. On the 44th Minute, Royston were reduced to 10 men, with Rob Hayes being sent off after a late challenge. Royston followed this by getting themselves back in the game, when Paul Jackson made the score level with a well took diving header just before the break, 1 – 1.
Into the second half, Joker clinched a second goal just before the hour mark to take the lead when Rob Branagan slotting in ball at the near post, from a corner, 1 – 2. Joker continued to dominate the game, but Royston kept at it and scored their second from a free kick when the ball sailed into the box for Glenn Walton, to flick it into the net at the far post, 2 - 2 with twenty minutes to go.
With less than five minutes left of normal time, Royston clinch their third goal, when Andy Hayward sweetly stroke a low direct shot on goal, 3 - 2 making them the worthy winners of the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Sunday Senior Challenge Cup.
Photography by Steve Uttley