THE final game of a long season in the Malvern Football League takes place on Sunday when the Norman Simmons Senior Cup Final is held at Ledbury Town (ko 6.30pm).
La Mano De Dios 86 will be looking to take quick revenge when they bid to take the cup away from current Cup holders Seven AllStars, who beat them 2-1 in a hard-fought game to retain their league championship.
With only one loss each before this game, La Mano de Dios 86 had to inflict another defeat to add to their earlier victory over Seven AllStars, who, courtesy of their goal difference, only had to draw.
The early stages of the game saw La Mano De Dios 86 having the best of the play but Seven AllStars defended well and gradually began to have more possession.
But neither side was able to capitalise on the few chances that came along before half-time, with Seven AllStars keeper Adam McTear making a couple of fine saves, and it ended goalless.
AllStars began the second-half much better and took the lead in the 55th minute when a Tim Rutherford free- kick found the head of veteran Chris Stone whose looping header beat the home keeper. It became 2-0 when Asa Smith went on a good run before squaring the ball to Dan Herbert, who smashed it into the net.
La Mano De Dios 86 then began to press forward and after not having too much success through the middle Neil Gardener moved out wide and he set up an exiting finale when he superbly chipped McTear from 25 yards. Despite their pressure La Mano De Dios 86 were unable to penetrate a well-marshalled Seven AllStars defence again and the closest they came was in the closing moments when a free-kick skimmed just wide. But Seven AllStars held on to retain their title and will be looking to do the double again on Sunday while La Mano De Dios 96 will be looking to add the Norman Simmons Cup to their Herefordshire FA Sunday Cup.
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