PCMT Final 2008/09

Aardvark Abacus 2
Keane 53, 58

v (2)

You Know Your Boston Rock FC 3
Lampard 45
A.Ferdinand (c)
King (c)

90,000 people gave up their Boxing Day cold meat and pickles to be at Wembley and watch the clash of the WSFFL behemoths in the Paul Cartmell Memorial Cup Final.

Aardvark Abacus were missing leading scorer Emanuel Adebayor through suspension while Boston Rock lost captain Rio Ferdinand to a back injury in the warm-up. The two old rivals, the winningest managers in the league's history, played out a cagey first half but the game burst into life with both managers contemplating their interval oranges.

First, Boston Rock's usually reliable striker Jermain Defoe dragged a penalty wide after the Aardvarks had been penalised for some penalty-box shenanigans but there was still time for Frank Lampard put the 'Sky Heroes' in front from close range seconds before the break. Micah Richards also left the field at the interval with a clean sheet safely in the bank, a move which brought him special praise from his manager.

Ady's re-hashed team talk brought a turnaround within 15 minutes of the re-start. Much maligned striker Robbie Keane, rising to the challenge of leading the line in Adebayor's absence, was the Aardvark inspiration scoring twice in five minutes to put his side in the driving seat. After that, chances were few and far between and Sheriff was looking to his trusted defence to hang on to the trophy. He wasn't disappointed. First Ledley King strolled to a clean sheet and then Anton Ferdinand repeated that feat to complete the late comeback.

Ferdinand dedicated his match-winning clean to injured brother Rio and Frank Lampard, one of WSFFL's most decorated players, lifted the Trophy in front of Boston Rock's adoring fans.

The beaten manager congratulated his opposite number on the victory which takes Sheriff ahead nine trophies to eight in the history books.

It's the fourth time Sheriff has led his team to the PCMT crown in six seasons, a second final defeat in three years for the league-leading Abacus who will resume league action, along with the rest of us, on Sunday 28 December.

Aardvark Abacus:
GK - Jones
DEF - Campbell, Alex, Eboue, A.Taylor
MID - Alonso, Modric, S.Davies, O'Neil
ATT - Keane, Carew
Subs - Cech, Hughes, Scholes, Kuyt

You Know Your Boston Rock FC:
GK - Robinson
DEF - A.Ferdinand, C.Davies, Richards, King
MID - Lampard, Milner, Bentley, Wright-Phillips
ATT - Defoe, Bent
Subs - J.Brown, Turner, Jenas, Derbyshire