First-half goals from Gary Potts and Darren Godfrey were enough for Benfleet to secure the Essex Saturday Premier Cup against Ramsden at Heybridge Swifts ground.
Despite pulling a goal back before the break, Ramsden just could not break through Benfleet's defence and the Essex Intermediate League Division Two side held on for a 2-1 win.
"Our game plan was to have a real go and push them back onto their heels," said Benfleet manager David Dady.
Benfleet's fast counter-attacking football tested Ramsden's defence and the breakthrough came on 34 minutes when Potts's header from a left-sided corner looped over Ramsden keeper Chris Howard and into the net.
Five minutes later Benfleet doubled their lead. Striker Godfrey raced clear of the Ramsden defence but his right foot shot was parried by Howard.
But Intermediate League Division Three Ramsden failed to clear the ball away and a cross from the right was met by the dangerous Godfrey who steered a header into the bottom right hand corner.
Ramsden recovered quickly to pull a goal back before the break when ex-Chelmsford City striker Simon Sugrue went on a superb mazy run before laying the ball off to Adam Tofts, who beat Benfleet keeper Danny Clare with ease.
"We had a very good 20 minute spell in the first half where we were well on top and our two strikers really gave Ramsden some problems," added Dady.
"They've been really dangerous all season," said Dady of Ricky Gill and Darren Godfrey, whose pace helped Benfleet to their first Saturday Premier Cup triumph.
Published Friday, April 11, 2003
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