CLINICAL finishing either side of the interval saw high flying Pensnett Panthers extend Beacon Sunday League's proud record in the renamed Birmingham County FA Sunday Amateur Cup, writes Dave McLean.
The Panthers, who are also chasing a domestic double, lifted the former Junior Cup for a second time - previously in 2009 - after running out impressive 2-1 victors over Solihull Sunday outfit Meadway Social.
It was Meadway who threatened in the first period and just 12 minutes had gone when the Panthers had keeper Steve Cartwright to thank. He raced off his line to thwart Mark Toal with a brave stop at the strikers' feet.
Five minutes later, a mix up in the Panthers defence led to Meadway's Dean Morris chipping Steve Cartwright but the former's effort also cleared the bar.
The Panthers were threatened again, just gone the half hour, and Steve Cartwright came to the rescue once more with a superb double black to thwart Ryan Moulton and Luke Tench-Gregory.
However the final turned right on the stroke of half-time when Pensnett broke the deadlock. Steve Jeavons' delightful over the Meadway back line picked out Ryan Cartwright and lifted the ball over Meadway keeper Mark Hadden to open the scoring.
In the opening minute of the second half there was further delight for the watching Pensnett camp and their supporters when a left wing cross was snapped up by Steve Jeavons and he found the top corner of the net from 12 yards.
The two Pensnett scorers the combined together on 67 minutes and Jeavons effort flew just wide. A minute later, Meadway forced their way back in to the match when cutting the deficit.
A cross from the right was not cleared cleanly by the Panthers and the ball fell kindly for Moulton who tucked the ball away from close range.
However, the match turned back in Pensnett's favour on 78 minutes when Meadway's Martin Morris was red-carded for two bookable offences.
After Jeavons again went close for the Panthers, the Beacon side experienced one last scare when Dean Morris fired over after finding space in the opposition area, before Pensnett got the celebrations underway after receiving the cup from mayor of Dudley, Steve Waltho.
The Panthers, who are still in the hunt for the division one championship, along with Springvale Academy, face their arch rivals in the Falcon Insurance Beacon Cup final at AFC Wulfrunians ground on April 21 (7.45pm).
Meanwhile, Dynamo Dudley was celebrating for the second time in four days after lifting the NDT (Midlands) Premier Cup on Sunday with a 3-0 success against Old Bulls Head, all the goals coming in the second half.
Premier outfit Dynamo won the Lester Charity Cup with a hard fought 3-2 triumph over Springvale Academy in midweek, but neither side really found any form in a slow first half.
However, the second period was just nine minutes old when the clash came to life. Aaron Lloyd, voted man of the match, took up a more forward position and provided the perfect cross for Leon Naylor to head home for Dynamo on 54 minutes.
A second Dynamo goal arrived on 66 minutes when Lloyd's forward header found Steve Jones and he coolly lobbed Jack Hayfield in the Old Bulls goal.
After Lee Blake had wasted a good opportunity for Old Bulls, substitute Ben Hickman combined with Jones and the former put the issue beyond doubt for Dynamo who have a bigger date this Sunday.
They carry the Beacon League's hopes in the Birmingham County FA Sunday Vase final against Wolverhampton Casuals, at Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr, kick off 2pm.
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