THE warriors of Windmill FC secured the Evening Advertiser Cup against all odds despite starting the showpiece as favourites.

The Swindon and District League title chasers were reduced to nine players as they went into extra-time with Westwood Contracts.

The second-half sending off of Paul Childs and a knee injury to Craig Miles after Windmill had used all their substitutes handed Westwood a two-man advantage.

But with a penalty shoot-out looming, Windmill turned the screw and Westwood's Warwick Burnett headed into his own net to hand the trophy to the side led by Anthony Pascarella and Steve Werrell.

The victory was extra special for a Windmill team that had lost out in last year's final under their previous guise of the 147 Club. That experience clearly instilled the added mental toughness that eventually saw them through.

Before joining his team for the post-match celebrations, assistant boss Werrell said: "It was particularly sweet to win it this season having lost it last year.

"We dug in with nine men to get the goal and then hold on with 10 minutes to go. It was a fantastic achievement.

"We did the double last year and missed out on the treble so that's what we're going for this season."

The first leg of that three-pronged glory assault looked a formality as Windmill dictated for the first 25 minutes.

After Westwood's Ricky Oliver had flashed a volley high and wide, Windmill forward Ricky Mazzotta began a one-man bid to destroy the opposition.

A low drive from an acute angle flashed the wrong side of the near post on six minutes before the Windmill No 10 hit an ambitious long-range volley into the grateful grasp of Westwood keeper Paul Rothwell.

Mazzotta's best opportunity arrived on 11 minutes when he slipped his marker but lost his footing with only Rothwell to beat.

After weathering the early storm, Westwood eventually found their feet and caused some problems of their own mostly from set plays.

Defender Burnett headed a free-kick wide on the half-hour mark but did find the right net three minutes later to open the scoring.

Darren Higgs curled in another free-kick from the left flank which deceived everyone and hit the inside of the far post. The loose ball eventually bounced into the path of Burnett who nodded over the line from close range.

With the underdogs now in control, Windmill looked set for an upset to rank alongside the 2-0 defeat suffered against Custom Homes 12 months ago until referee David Smith threw them a lifeline in first-half stoppage time.

Dean Parsons was chopped down inside the penalty box and Mazzotta stepped up to send Rothwell the wrong way from the spot.

Windmill carried the momentum into the second half before the pendulum swung back in Westwood's favour on the hour as Childs was dismissed for kicking out.

As the game moved into extra-time, Miles suffered a knee injury which saw him hospitalised and his team two men shy of a full complement.

Despite the disadvantage, Windmill grabbed the decisive goal early in the second period.

Rothwell got a hand to a right-wing set piece but the loose ball fell onto the head of Burnett and he could do little but divert into his own net from two yards to hand Windmill the 104-year old trophy.

Winning manager Anthony Pascarella said: "It was a brave performance. When Paul was sent off I thought we still had a chance but when Craig got injured I thought we were finished.

"But we battled and in the end I think we deserved it."

Westwood boss Mel White agreed. "I'm not disappointed in our players, they gave Windmill a good game," he said.

"I'm just disappointed we didn't utilise the fact they had nine men.

"But fair play to Windmill they dug deep and probably earned it."

Craig Miles was discharged from hospital later on Saturday night with knee tissue damage and is fighting to be fit for the weekend's Chairman's Cup final against Queenstown.