Boomsbury 2 United FC 1

THIRD division sides Boomsbury and United FC met for the fourth time this campaign when they locked horns at Meadow Lane, Westbury on Saturday afternoon in the final of the EJ Shanley & Son-sponsored Spring Cup.

And like the previous three encounters, which were won by Boomsbury, the Division Three champions came out on top in what was a dire match that was decided by a moment of brilliance from Sam McWade, whose spectacular volley earned Ben Howe’s team a 2-1 win. After suffering a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Melksham Town Reserves in the final of the A & B Cup on Thursday evening, Boomsbury were keen for an immediate return to winning ways.

But they got off to the worst possible start when their back four were caught napping on three minutes as a United cross found Mariusz Jackiewicz who took his chance really well as he fired past Luke Mayne to put the underdogs into a surprise lead.

After the goal United had their best period of the game and on eight minutes Lukasz Bareyq saw his header spilled by Mayne, who gathered it at the second attempt.

After that chance it was all Boomsbury as they tried to find their way through what looked to be a solid United back four with Maciey Niedziela organising his troops really well as they repelled everything Boomsbury threw at them.

On 15 minutes Scott Askew should have done better when he connected with a Booker Woodford cross but his tame header found the hands of keeper Piotr Gornik.

A minute later Woodford went close but could only watch as he headed a Pete Spong corner inches over the bar.

Askew thought he had equalised for Boomsbury on 21 minutes, his header beat keeper Gornik but Agim Iljazi was on the line to somehow hook the ball over the bar.

Boomsbury were very wasteful when they got into good positions especially from set pieces and they were getting frustrated as attack after attack broke down.

But on 32 minutes the width of the crossbar denied Dan Dominy, when his 20 yard howitzer rattled the woodwork and it was probably still shaking when Boomsbury eventually got themselves back on level terms a minute later.

It was a moment of heartache for the otherwise impressive Agim Iljazi who, under pressure from Woodford, knocked the ball beyond his helpless keeper Gornik to make it 1-1.

The remainder of the first half was a non-event as Boomsbury were unable to make their superiority count and both teams were probably glad to hear the half time whistle that brought a dour first 45 minutes to an end.

Boomsbury went on the attack at the start of the second half with Darren Jones heading a Spong corner over the bar on 47 minutes and shortly after, Jones tried to beat the keeper with an audacious chip from 25 yards out which just missed the target On 52 minutes a magnificent 30 yard free kick from Spong looked destined for the top until keeper Gornik, who was at full stretch, tipped the ball out for a corner.

Seven minutes later Spong tried to repeat his effort but this time he blasted his free kick straight at the wall and although the ball came back to him his shot almost hit the corner flag.

One moment of pure magic from McWade in the 61st minute saw him put Boomsbury 2-1 ahead and his wonder striker proved to be the match winner.

A Spong corner was cleared to McWade who, some 25 yards from goal, caught it on the volley and his shot thundered into the top corner despite the best efforts of keeper Gornik who got a hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out.

With Boomsbury now in the ascendancy it looked as if a third goal was on the cards, but both Woodford and Askew had chances to kill the game off, with the latter missing another close range effort.

Darren Jones also blazed over before Spong who was now shooting from anywhere blasted wide on 75 minutes which proved to be his last action of the game as he was replaced by Steve Jackson, who had a 30 yard thunderbolt superbly saved by keeper Gornik who also did well to deny Woodford.

With the clock running down United launched one final bid to take the final to extra time but they came up just short as Boomsbury saw the game out to claim a far from impressive win in a match that they failed to reach top gear.

Howe knows that if his team are to avenge their A & B Cup Final loss to Melksham Town Reserves they will have to play a lot better when the sides meet in the Knockout Cup final at Warminster Town on Thursday evening. Both teams played the match in an excellent sporting manner, with United being gracious in defeat and they applauded every Boomsbury player as they picked up their winners' trophies which were presented by League chairman Roly Hill and League secretary Ian Hibbard.

Boomsbury’s winning captain Darren Jones was player of the match.

REPORT & PICTURES FROM SATURDAY'S FINAL AND LAS WEEK'S A & B CUP FINAL IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES