A SECOND-HALF double from Charlie Samuels – the winner a stunning long-range effort – helped FC Bentons complete a league and cup double with a come-from-behind 2-1 success against Datchet Village.
Having already wrapped up the Thames Valley Sunday League Division One title during a season in which they lost just one game – the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup final to Aylesbury flooring – Bentons rounded off a memorable campaign with victory at Arbour Park last Friday night.
After a goalless first half, Barry Dunbar put Datchet in front midway through the second period and raised hopes of an upset, only for Samuels to get to work.
He equalised shortly after before unleashing a 25-yard effort which sealed the title.
(L-R): Matt Andrews, Charlie Samuels and Luciano Venturini of FC Bentons with the Roy Lester Cup.
Delighted Bentons boss Russell Windsor said: “It was a good game played on a great surface which was nice at this time of the year when it’s normally rock hard and pretty bobbly.
“We went in as clear favourites, but having said that, a final is a final and anything can happen in football on any one day.
“We started off very well, but they grew into the game and were defensively pretty well set up.”
He continued: “Their goalkeeper made some fine saves – I thought he was man-of-the-match – and they took the lead perhaps against the run of play.
“However, we then clicked into gear and the fact they scored maybe made it a more entertaining game for the neutral spectator.”
The celebrations begin for FC Bentons.
Reflecting on a memorable season, he added: “It has been a real squad effort – we haven’t necessarily had a stronger squad, but we’ve had a bigger one.
“There’s only been one game we’ve played with the bare 11 players, whereas in the past we’ve had to play with nine or 10.
“We’re committed to getting better next season and it would be amazing to do the treble.
“The Berks & Bucks final was one of those days where everything which could go wrong did, but we’re really looking forward to going again next season.”
- For more pictures from the cup final see today's Observer.
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