Goalscorers:

Steve Rogers
Adam Gyde (Pen)
O.G.
Matt Courtney-Smith

Charlton Rovers Reserves became the first Rovers senior side to ever win a County Cup, when they beat Stonehouse Town 4-0 at Brimscombe & Thrupp's ground near Stroud. The team had done remarkably well to reach the final knocking out the top teams from the Stroud League and Cirencester League along the way.

The team lined up with the flexible 4-4-1-1 formation with Dave Payne playing in the hole as he has done for the past 10 years.

Rovers couldn't have asked for a better start when after only a few minutes Dave Payne broke down the right behind the Stonehouse defence and squared the ball to Skipper Steve Rogers to slot home. This invigorated the Rovers team who constantly hassled the Stonehouse team whenever they had possession. Stonehouse's main threat was from their speedy striker and their tactic which had served them well in the cup and league of launching long balls for him to latch onto failed due to the aerial presence of Josh Gadsby and the speed of Ben Williams. They kept Stonehouse down to a few speculative efforts.

After 25 mins Tom (Middy) Middleton twisted his knee and was replaced by Mike (Daisy) Davies, who had been unlucky not to have made the starting XI.

The game became bogged down in the midfield but when the ball was spread to the wings Tom Green and Matt Courtney-Smith looked dangerous. Shortly before halftime Tom Green cut in from the left beating his defender and was then brought down in the box for a clear penalty. Up stepped Adam Gyde who handled the pressure excellently and buried the ball into the top right hand corner giving the keeper no chance. Rovers finished the half very confidently, so had to make sure they didn't get carried away.

Stonehouse tried to rally in the second half, but Rovers were equal to everything that was thrown at them and as fatigue set in Rovers started to look the much stronger side.

Rovers got their third after a cross was whipped into a crowded six yard box and was nudged into the net by a Stonehouse player.

Dave Payne was then replaced by Olly Bues and was given a great reception by the crowd as this was his last game for the club after joining them in 1995. The electric pace of Olly Bues and constant hassling from Steve Rogers and Jordan Cooper showed that Rovers were going to let this slip away, and Rovers were unlucky not to add more to the scoreline when they were given off-side when clean through on goal on a number of occasions. With 10mins remaining player/manager Rich Berry came on and Rovers added their fourth and final goal of the came when Matt Courtney-Smith was put clean through and rounded the keeper to secure the win.

The cup final team

TEAM SPONSORS

Charlton Rovers Senior Teams would like to thank all of their sponsors. Their support has been much appreciated over the past seasons and hopefully their continued support for the forthcoming seasons.

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