IVER Heath Rovers FC have won the East Berkshire Football League Cup

IVER Heath Rovers FC have won the East Berkshire Football League Cup after a 3-1 win against Chalvey (WMC) Sports.

The Iver Heath Recreation Ground-based club defeated Chalvey in this season’s final at The Gore, Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sam Abbott bagged a brace in the victory and Mark Walker was also on the scoresheet, whilst Chalvey saw Rob Paget sent off.

Iver Heath manager Tim Thorpe was left ecstatic at the final whistle, but always backed his team to emerge victorious.

He told The Observer: “This was our best chance of silverware but I thought it would be tougher. Actually it was quite easy. Chalvey are a lovely bunch of lads and have a great manager in Scott Young, and both teams have known each other for years.

“Chalvey sit top of the Premier Division so should’ve gone in as favourites, but I think my team can beat anyone on our day.” Thorpe continued: “One-nil is the worse possible scoreline at half-time because Chalvey will not play as bad again.

“The talk at half-time was to keep on going and we were just back on top before the sending off.

“Chalvey picked up their speed and momentum, but we started to regain our control again before the red card.

“I was always confident the team we put out can win. We changed our formation and manage to put them on the back foot.

“The red card did change the tempo and we had to get the second goal because Chalvey are a very good side, even with 10-men.” He added: “I was ecstatic at the final whistle because I hadn’t realised we had not won the League Cup for 18-years.

“I’m delighted to win something this year because I have got so much belief in this team.” However, Iver Heath could end up doing Chalvey a favour this Saturday when they travel to The Lynchpin (2pm ko).

The Lynchpin are the defending Premier Division champions and need a point to leapfrog Chalvey and retain the title.

Thorpe said: “We will be doing everything we can to help Chalvey win the league. We’re after a little bit of pride and revenge ourselves so will put our strongest side out.

“The Lynchpin have got big players and strength in character, but I would like to upset their party.

“A win will see us finish above our rivals Iver and in the top five, which was our aim at the start of the season.

“We can’t finish lower than sixth or higher than fifth, so we’re playing for a little bit of pride.” x x EXCLUSIVE By Rob Stevens “I’m delighted to win something because I’ve got so much belief in this team” IVER Heath Rovers FC ended an 18-year wait to lift the East Berkshire League Cup after a 3-1 win against Chalvey (WMC) Sports.

The Heath defeated 10-man Chalvey in front of a bumper crowd at The Gore, Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sports keeper Lee Bennett was fortunate not to be shown a straight red card early on following a collision with James Donovan.

But referee Phil Rees decided that there were enough covering defenders around Bennett for the stopper only to be cautioned.

Iver threatened to take the lead from the resulting free-kick as Donovan hit a curling shot off the far post.

Chalvey then kicked into gear and Matt Edwards went close with a header, before a crucial block from Matt Bell kept the scores level.

An unfortunate injury to Tommy Fogarty resulted in Sports re-shuffling their defence, and from that point on The Heath took control.

Iver took the lead on 42 minutes when Paul Munro found the ever-dangerous Sam Abbott, who hit a dipping shot into the far corner.

The Heath started the second-half better and the midfield trio of Salim Abdullah, Mark Walker and Chris Georghiou began to pull the strings.

Chalvey’s task got that much harder when they were reduced to 10-men on the hour mark when Paget pulled back the advancing Abbott and was shown a red card.

It was a harsh decision, but Iver took full advantage as Walker scored with a sublime diving header in the 70th minute.

Heath boss Tim Thorpe then started to make changes and substitutes Jamie Goodall and Andrew Hodgkins set up Abbot to score in off the post.

Chalvey pulled one back in the final minute as Alex Smith netted from the penalty spot, but the final whistle was met with Iver celebrations.

lWINDSOR Reserves rounded-off their inaugural season in the Premier Division with a 1-0 win away at Langley on Saturday.

The win sees Windsor finish the year with a six-match unbeaten run, and in ninth position in the table.

After a goalless first-half at Kedermister Park, Langley were unfortunate not to score as a shot came back off the crossbar.

Windsor scored the only goal of the game on 80 minutes when Nash Mohammed played in Nabil Douhi, who fired past the keeper.

REAL Milan FC have won the Thames Valley Sunday League Roy Lester Memorial Senior Trophy after a 2-1 win against Merrymakers Old Boys.

The Burnham Grammar School-based club defeated lower-league Merrymakers in this season’s final at Holloways Park, Beaconsfield, last Friday.

Tony Mendy bagged a brace in a tense match as Milan secured their first trophy in two years against a spirited Old Boys team.

It was an emotional success for Milan boss Roger Evans, whose 85-year-old father, Glyn Evans, was watching, as well as two cousins from Australia.

He told The Observer: “I was cautious because there is no easy game. Everyone wants to beat us and we didn’t take them lightly.

“Merrymakers have already beaten Wraysbury Bentons and New Windsor, who are very solid, so they’ve got to be a good team. And there was also no pressure on them because they’ve already won two cup competitions this season.

“We’re improving and have got some outstanding players, so I would say that we were the favourites.” Evans added: “Merrymakers closed down very well and dominated the midfield, and we just couldn’t get going.

“We said at half-time we may have to miss out the midfield and go direct. So we hit long ball and as it turned out the chance came.

“I’m delighted for Tony Mendy but the whole team worked hard and played well, and it was a great game.

“I thought the match was played in a great spirit and I have total respect for the other team. We were comfortable in the second-half but Merrymakers were always capable of scoring, they were dangerous throughout.” Real Milan have the chance to complete a memorable double this season in the Ken Gomm Challenge Cup.

Milan host Burnham Red Lion in the semi-finals this Sunday (10.30am), and Evans is expecting a close match.

He said: “Burnham have beaten Wraysbury as well and it could go either way. It depends who turns up on the day.

“We know all of their players and if we dedicate ourselves and enjoy it, then we can be successful.” EXCLUSIVE By Rob Stevens