Joe Lennon Memorial Cup Final:

Hakin United 4-2 Milford United

INJURY time goals from Nicky Woodrow and Ali Ouzman secured a fifth straight Joe Lennon Cup for Hakin after they had been pushed all the way by rivals Milford United at The Obs.

The Vikings seemingly took control in the first half with goals from Woodrow and Ben Steele, before The Robins fought back with strikes either side if the interval from Chris Thompson and Liam Davies.

But as extra time appeared imminent, Woodrow’s angled finish put the hosts back ahead in the 92nd minute, and there was still time for Ouzman to curl in a spectacular effort at the death as Kristan Bennett’s men kept a grip on the pre-season trophy they have held since 2012.

It was the hosts who made the brighter start as Daniel Armstrong had a close range shot blocked from a Steve Mathias corner, before Jonty Bennett dragged a low effort wide.

And nine minutes in, Hakin took the lead when left back Ben Phillips’ cross was headed into the bottom corner by Woodrow.

Moments later Milford had their first real opening when winger Liam Parr surged upfield and played in Liam Davies, but the striker’s control let him down in front of goal and Hakin skipper Ewan Findlay cleared.

The home side then doubled their advantage 18 minutes in, as Ben Steele’s low free kick from the edge of the area beat Anthony Bevans at his near post.

Woodrow then saw his cross deflected against the post by Milford centre back William Goodall, whilst at the other end Hakin keeper James Manson had to be quickly off his line to deny Neil Mathias.

Steele then missed a great chance to make it three when he sliced wide following a neat one-two with Steve Mathias – and then 38 minutes in, The Robins got themselves back in the contest.

Manson again rushed from his goal to collect a long ball forward, but in doing so his momentum carried him out of his area - and referee Ben Williams awarded a free kick that Thompson curled superbly into the top corner.

The start of the second half saw Milford keeper Bevans brilliantly tip a Woodrow header onto the bar, only for the striker to be ruled offside anyway, and then eight minutes after the interval it was The Robins who grabbed the momentum.

Liam Parr made ground down the right and squared for Davies, who stabbed home from close range to level matters.

And then Andrew Burgoyne’s side so nearly led, as Neil Mathias played in Thompson, who in turn fed Davies, but he was unable to get a clean connection under pressure and Findlay got back to clear off the line.

Steele and Matthew Broome then had efforts just off target for Hakin, before Woodrow’s tame shot was fumbled inches wide of the post by Bevans.

As the game wore on it was The Vikings who seemed most likely to grab a winner in the 90 minutes, and it took a brave defensive header from Scott Griffiths to clear a Steele cross when Hakin substitute Barrett seemed set to pounce at the back post.

Armstrong then headed over another Steele cross and at the other end, Parr surged into the area but lost control at the crucial moment.

In the 90th minute, Steele had an opportunity to clinch it when he met Barrett’s cross with a free header but aimed it straight at Bevans, but then Hakin’s late show settled matters.

Woodrow, closely marked by the impressive Goodall all night, found the space to latch onto Craig Nicholson’s through ball, before driving home an angled finish into the roof of the net.

And then the scorer turned provider as his cross-field pass was met by substitute Ouzman on the right side of the area, and he cut inside onto his left foot before curling an effort into the far top corner.

Although the final scoreline was perhaps harsh on The Robins, the quality strike rounded off a competitive final played in front of a good pre-season crowd at The Obs, and after the final whistle new Hakin manager Bennett told Telegraph Sport: “It was a win for us and 90 minutes under our belts but it wasn’t our best display. We gave the ball away far too much.

“But tonight is about the Joe Lennon Cup and it is good to win it again.”

Meanwhile opposite number Burgoyne, standing in while Milford search for a new manager, added: “Credit to Hakin that’s what good teams do – they push you right to the final whistle.

“We had a chance at 2-2 that I thought may have been over the line but in fairness to the referee, he had a good game and was well placed to see it.

“But overall I’m happy with the performance and we still have boys to come back before the season starts.”

This season’s tournament was organised by Hakin secretary Johnny Lewis and former manager Gary Dawes, and in the absence of Joe’s son Joff who is currently away with work, it was Malcolm Jones who presented the winning trophy to Findlay and adjudicated Broome as the man of the match.

And fittingly, Jones also paid tribute to Joe, renowned for his outstanding work with the Hakin United junior section, in the post-match presentations.

“This is a great tournament for a great man,” he said.

“He’ll be up there happy that Hakin won it but Milford more than played their part as well.

“We’ll keep this event going and we’ve spoken about adding more teams to it which hopefully we will be able to do next year.”

Lewis added he also wanted to thank the referees who had taken charge of both the semi-finals and the final.

Hakin United: James Manson, Matthew Broome, Ewan Findlay, Dan Armstrong, Luke Phillips, Jonty Bennett, Steve Mathias, Ryan Wilson, Adam John, Nicky Woodrow, Ben Steele.

Subs (all used): Craig Nicholson, Richard Hughes, Ben Aldred, Bradley Barrett, Ali Ouzman.

Milford United: Anthony Bevans, Chris Davies, Tom Llewellyn, William Goodall, Scott Griffiths, Luke Hart, Tom Evans, Neil Mathias, Liam Parr, Liam Davies, Chris Thompson.

Subs (all used): Marcello Somma, Sam Davies, Josh Smart, Daniel Coe, Ben Robertson, Taku Padiwa.

Referee: Ben Williams.

Assistant: David Farrow.