Brighton storm to cup final win

Photo:  Hat-trick hero Bayley Campbell sometimes ran foul of referee Neil Ruut [PlessPix]

(Social League 5 Cup Final, KGV Park, Wednesday, 18 September 2019)

Kingborough Lions United 2 (J Arnold 42, L Mackie 72 pen)

Brighton Storm 4 (B Campbell 22, 55, 65, T Gill 37)

HT:  1-2   Ref:  N Ruut

Kingborough Lions United:  R Beadle;  Arnold, A Beadle, Boks, Jackson, Kinnon, Mackie, McEldowney, Morrison, Ogier, Wilcox  (Interchange:  T Beadle, Cetin, Morse, Rhee)

Brighton Storm:  Smith;  Barr, Campbell, Collis, Fewkes, Langford, Lowe, Pullen, Rowlandson, Sandric, Steele  (Interchange:  J Cassidy, N Cassidy, Gill, Parker)

Photo:  Kingborough clear a Brighton corner [PlessPix]

This was a hard-fought and fast cup final and Brighton had the upper hand from the start.

Bayley Campbell gave Brighton the lead midway through the first-half and the writing was on the wall for the Lions when substitute Tait Gill made it 2-0 eight minutes before the interval.

A goal by Jesse Arnold 3 minutes from half-time out the Lions back in with a chance.

Ten minutes after the resumption, the speedy Campbell restored Brighton’s two-goal buffer.

Campbell completed his hat-trick in the 65^th minute when he cleverly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to put his side 4-1 ahead.

Photo:  Brighton players climb for a header [PlessPix]

The Lions refused to be cowered, however, and they earned a penalty in the 72^nd minute, which was converted by Lee Mackie.

They were unable to make up the leeway, however, and Brighton lifted the trophy.

The result was vastly different to the league positions of the two teams and the result was an upset.

Photo:  A Brighton player wins a header [PlessPix]