Joy turns to tears for Beano (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Joy turns to tears for Beano

5:13pm Saturday 12th May 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

Former Chippenham Town favourite James Constable experienced every emotion at Wembley today as his two goals were not enough to win the FA Trophy for his Kidderminster team.

Constable scored twice in quick succession in the latter stages of the first half against Stevenage but they struck back with three of their own in the second period to take the match.

With tears running down his face he found his parents Stuart and Mandy in the crowd to seek consolation.

After the match he spoke of his joy at scoring and heartbreak at losing. He said: "It was wonderful so many people from Chippeham and Malmesbury could be here to share this with me.

"I can't describe what it felt like to score, not once but twice, at Wembley. But now I can only feel gutted. I hope when I look back I can remember the highlights."

Beano could hardly believe his luck as he slotted home his first goal as the ball rebounded from the Stevenage goalkeeper Barry Fuller.

He slid on his knees towards the corner flag overcome with emotion.

Just five minutes later he made it two when he ran past the Stevenage defence to slot into the right hand corner of the goal.

This time he was mobbed by delighted Kidderminster team mates who could not wait to join in the celebration.

The second half though was all Stevenage and joy turned to tears for Constable and his Kidderminster side.

A deconsolate Constable kept his eyes downcast as he made the journey up 107 steps in front of a crowd of more than 51,000 people to accept his consolation loser's medal.

After the match he said: "I didn't have any doubts we would win. It is vital now we go into the summer and get this out of our heads. We now have a civic repction and an open top bus ride tomorrow. But the way I feel at the moment I really don't want to go.

"I came and had a look at the pitch last night. Seeing it yesterday took away the wow factor."

Once the disappointment of the loss has receded he can take compensation from the fact he finished the tournament as top goal scorer with nine.

Supporters from Wiltshire waved Gazette posters urging Go Beano!

Full story and pictures in this week's Gazette.