Saving grace: Barry Clark breaks Athletic hearts as he claws away Jack Bond’s penalty 

Published: 26 March, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

AFTER 120 minutes of pulsating high-octane drama and 21 penalties this was the moment (above) that settled the final of the Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup – which we proudly sponsor. 

FC Lotus goalkeeper Barry Clark dives to his left to deny Cobden Athletic’s Jack Bond – and spark wild scenes of celebration at Hackney Marshes. 

Having won the top flight for the last three seasons Cobden went into the cup final as clear favourites. 

But after Sunday’s display, surely nobody will dare call Lotus underdogs again as they won a heart-stopping shoot-out 10-9 following two-hours of goalless tension. 

Hackney Marshes celebrations: winners FC Lotus

After recovering from all the excitement – and celebrations – club secretary Joshua Amartey praised the quality and resolve running through the Lotus squad.

“Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted to have won this competition,” he said. “It was always going to be difficult, no matter who we faced. 

“The lads showed tremendous resolve, team sprit and character to overcome a very, very good Cobden side.” 

Hero Clark certainly had a hand in helping Lotus clinch the cup. 

At the start of the second half the West Ham fan reacted acrobatically to tip Steven Bruce’s powerful header over the bar. On the two occasions Cobden did manage to find a way past him, and a resolute rearguard marshalled by man-of-the-match Matthew Ball, they were denied goals by the linesman’s flag. 

But with good balance of pace and patience on the ball, Lotus were denied chances of their own – the most contentious of which came midway through the second half. 

Winger Danny Carl was pulled back in the box after Cobden goalkeeper Matthew Summers had spilled a cross. But the referee waved away penalty appeals to the fury of the Lotus bench. And emotions were not eased as Carl’s goal-bound follow-up was cleared off the line. 

Cobden’s best chance to get their hands on the cup came in the shoot-out. Summers made a magnificent save to give team-mate Hussein Hussein the chance to win it but the pressure proved too much as he blazed his shot over the bar. 

It proved a costly miss as,  for the second season in a row, Cobden lost the Challenge Cup final on penalties.

“If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” said manager Dave Willis. “Clearly this is one cup that we are never destined to win!”