WATCHET Smugglers Under 11s took on the mighty Victoria Park Rangers in the league cup final at Bishops Lydeard.

With the Smugglers completing the league season with only two losses the pressure was on them to see if they could run out eventual winners in the Taunton and District Youth League Cup.

The game started very nervy with both teams looking to keep possession. Through some excellent wing play from both Leonie Lofts and Oliver Phippen brought early chances but none that could be converted. It was VPR who struck first with a well worked ball behind the defensive line that led to them driving into the right side of the penalty area before striking hard to put the ball in the back.

Smugglers fought valiantly to get back into it where once again an excellently placed pass landed at the feet of top goal scorer Alfie Cody Boutcher who converted calmly.

Smugglers took the lead from a free kick outside the area on the left-hand side. Free kick taker Alfie Worth stepped up to blast it into the centre of the box only a for a dummy touch allowed the ball to bounce in front of the keeper and roll into the back of the net.

However VPR got lucky in the last 10 minutes to draw level.. With two minutes to go and the game looking likely to go to penalties Smugglers pressed on to try and find the winning goal. It came in the form of an unlikely hero who was in the right place at the right time. A saved shot by VPR goalkeeper bumbled around the area before finally being driven into the back of the net by McCartney Hopwood.

Man of the Match was awarded by the Chairman of the Taunton and District Youth league to Alfie Cody Boutcher.