League Cup Final

Mitsubishi Electric 2 Golden Lion 4

Golden Lion came back twice from a goal down against one of this season's most successful teams to take the League Cup against Premier Division rivals Mitsubishi.

It was fitting that the final was between two highly successful sides.

Mitsubishi Electric had won the league, reached the Surrey FA Premier Cup quarter-finals and the Charles Kirsch Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Golden Lion.

The Lions finished third in the league, also reached the Surrey contest's quarter-finals and went on to lift the Charles Kirsch Cup.

The two league encounters between the sides finished with one win each.

Golden Lion made a lively start, testing Mitsubishi keeper Dave Tripp with a shot from Gary Fennessey within five minutes.

Danny Clayton's shot was cleared to Jesse Davis, who attempted a scissors kick. Paul Langon then put a strong header over.

Mitsubishi rallied and Mark Dalrymple made a fine upfield pass to Kevin Dalrymple, whose shot was foiled by Lion's defence.

From the rebound he headed at goal but Phillip Jupp safely gathered.

Mitsubishi increased the tempo and pushed upfield, forcing Golden Lion to clear any way they could.

Finally in the 15th minute, Mitsubishi had their efforts rewarded when Ben Collins threaded a neat pass into the path of Kevin Dalrymple. He took the ball round the keeper and although the angle was tight was able to slot in the opening goal.

In reply, Clayton shot over and Davis chased a punt upfield only to shoot wide. Then Lee Ahern powered upfield but his attempt was gathered by the keeper.

Mitsubishi went close when a corner dipped nicely by the far post for Paul Towler to shoot, but the ball went over the bar.

Towler then found Kevin Dalrymple in the penalty area, but he could not find the space to turn to take a shot. Finally Mark Dalymple made a fine pass to Shane Kelly on the wing. He crossed into the box forcing the keeper to parry the ball from which he had to make a great save from Towler's shot.

On 40 minutes, Jupp, made a long clearance upfield which foxed his opposite number as he came out to collect. Davis headed the ball over him, hitting the bar, but the ball fell kindly to the on-coming Clayton, who struck the ball into an open net.

In the second half Golden Lion took up the pace and made several attempts to take the lead. But Mitsubishi went back in front on 52 minutes when Darren Watson collected the ball in the midfield, moved towards goal with no defenders closing him down and unleashed a shot from about 20 yards.

The Lions were forced to make a couple of changes and this seemed to pay dividends.

Within 10 minutes, they levelled again when Lee Ahern passed up the right wing to Fennessey, who took a low cross into the area which hit Mitsubishi defender Henry Kabanda and went into the net.

Golden Lion had been soaking up the pressure but following the goal they started to complete passes and keep the ball and create chances. They even had an attempt from Paul Langon cleared off the line.

With just 15 minutes to go this continued pressure paid off and they broke the deadlock with a cracking move upfield along the right wing, thanks to Davis. His cross found Lewis Lineker whose shot put Lions 3-2 up.

With Levi Kennedy and Ahern attacking down both flanks and Lineker and Clayton becoming more dominant in midfield it was not long before Lions sealed the match.

After a corner, which involved a goalmouth scramble, the ball eventually fell to Lineker, who grabbed his second of the game.