The North Herts Football League Stevenage Council Club came from a goal behind to beat Whitwell Village 2-1 in the Greg Cup final. Whitwell started the strongest last Thursday night and were unlucky after seven minutes when Tommy Farrelly outpaced the cou

The North Herts Football League

Stevenage Council Club came from a goal behind to beat Whitwell Village 2-1 in the Greg Cup final.

Whitwell started the strongest last Thursday night and were unlucky after seven minutes when Tommy Farrelly outpaced the council club defence only to see his shot hit the bar and go behind.

They were dominating the midfield and deservedly took the lead when Simon Chipperfield outpaced the defence and slotted home.

Soon after the goal there was a controversial incident when the assistant referee flagged for a foul by the last defender but the ref waved play on.

It was a different story after the break as Whitwell were forced to make a double substitution due to injuries.

The council club started to get on top and spent most of the time camped in the Whitwell half.

They got their reward with Michael Bunker equalising from close range.

Chipperfield had a chance to put Whitwell back in front but sliced his shot well wide when through on goal.

With extra time looming, the council club sealed victory when Lee Kitching's flicked header diverted a free-kick from outside the area.

The game ended minutes later and council club manager Kevin Beirne was ecstatic with his team's victory.

It was a day for the underdogs in the Benevolent Shield semi-finals.

First Division title-chasers Magnum caused an upset by beating Premier Division winners St Ippolyts by the odd goal in three.

Magnum did most of the pressing in the first half and deservedly went in a goal up through Richard Bell after good work by Alim Uddin.

In the second half, Magnum went further in front when more good work from Uddin set up Lee Gibbs to score.

It was then all St Ippolyts pressure and they pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go. Only an excellent save from Tim Boston prevented St Ippolyts from equalising.

Despite all the pressure, Magnum held on to make the final next Thursday (April 27). They will play Whitwell Village who beat Premier Division Cup winners Woolmer Green on penalties.

In a game of very few chances and incidents the first 90 minutes could easily be forgotten. Whitwell's players were going down like ninepins after their cup final 48 hours before.

With both teams struggling with a hard season, chances began to come and go in extra time.

Woolmer's James Brewster had a couple of chances but shot wide on both occasions, while an excellent save by keeper Ian Mann from Richard Green prevented Whitwell from taking the lead.

With both defences on top there were few other chances and Tyrone Holloway in Whitwell's defence was the outstanding player on the pitch.

The game went to penalties and both sides missed one each from their first five. It then became sudden death with Whitwell scoring theirs and Kevin Gould made himself the Whitwell hero by saving a weak effort from Adam Paine.

This means Whitwell have another chance of silverware after their Greg Cup disappointment.

Kimpton Rovers were unable to raise a side for their final league game and forfeited the points to Stevenage Council Club.