HOPE & Anchor won the Bracknell & District Sunday League’s Subsidiary Cup, defeating Finchampstead Athletic A 7-6 on penalties after the tie had finished goalless at Larges Lane last Friday, writes Dave Wright.

The Wokingham pub side’s hero was stand-in goalkeeper Richard Gerrard, who scored one of his side’s goals before making a fine save when the spot-kicks went to sudden death.

“Seeing as our usual No. 1 wasn’t available, I was more than happy with my contribution and the end result,” said Gerrard.

Yet it was his opposite number, Simon Bennett, who took home the man-of-the-match award after making a string of quality saves throughout the game.

But for the sturdy Bennett, the team that finished third from bottom of Division Three would have sealed victory over the Division Four runners-up well before the end.

He pulled off a fine save in the opening few minutes and made even better ones as Mark Jackson’s men pressed for a late winner.

They deserved their victory as they generally strung the better moves together with Owen Thomas and James Maw looking particularly threatening at times, while Rob Maw was only denied by a great save from Bennett and Rob Sherwood was not far away with a header from Jon Attwood’s cross.

Finchampstead did have a couple of early efforts scrambled away from in front of goal and they very nearly snatched victory just before half time when Sam Hunt’s free-kick struck the underside of the crossbar with the keeper rooted to the spot.

Hunt, operating down the right flank, did cause the pub side a few problems, but Athletic’s finishing failed to match their approach work with Hope & Anchor also looking better organised in defence.

This was the third cup final to be played on successive Fridays at Larges Lane and the Bracknell Sunday League would like to thank Bracknell Town chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse and his staff for providing excellent facilities and hospitality .