Lavis FC Cruise To The WG Parr Trophy

Aaron Latchem was a happy man after his Trowbridge based Lavis FC side came from behind to defeat Devizes’ The Castle FC 4-1 in the final of this season’s RP Clarke Sheds & Fencing sponsored WG Parr Trophy which was the first of the league’s double header of Cup Finals at the Lye, Seend. The victory was made even sweeter for Latchem’s men as it was achieved in front of the family of the late Pete Lavis who the team was formed in memory of.

With Pete’s wife Diane and son Mike and daughter Sarah watching on Lavis made a nervous start to the game at the Lye, Seend but almost went ahead on 9 minutes when a Mark Maguire free kick flew inches wide of the target.  Midway through the half Castle’s Joe Unsworth’s skied an attempted clearance that had his keeper Adam Walters back peddling before the ball over the bar and to safety. Jack Booth’s cross come shot flashed across the face of goal as Castle survived another attempt on their goal.

On 35 minutes Chris Allen blasted Castle’s best chance over the bar before Liam Hill’s shot failed to test Lavis keeper Nick Mead and as the first half drew to a close it was the Castle who were finishing it the stronger as Gary Campbell’s effort was gathered easily by keeper Mead.

Both Dan Jones and Jordan Pinder had good chances to put Lavis ahead early in the second half, but it was Castle who made the breakthrough when Gary Campbell turned the ball home following a great stop by keep Mead who was unable to keep out the rebound. 

Lavis retored parity on the hour mark, an Ashton Shanley free kick crept over the line after keeper Walters failed to deal with his 20 yard strike.  Both teams tried in vain to find a winner in normal time with Shanley going closest for Lavis and substitute Jack Fisher wasting a very good chance for the Castle.

With the game in extra time, Lavis upped the pace and Castle ran out of steam, Jack Sterling pounced on a defensive error to turn the ball home to put Lavis 2-1 in front.  With their noses in front Lavis turned the screw and made it 3-1 on 117 minutes, Jack Booth finding the target and after a Jordan Pinder blasted over for Lavis, Dan Jones put the icing on the cake, when his coolly taken goal sealed their 4-1 success.

Under strict COVID 19 rules the winning players picked up their individual awards and captain Darren Jones was on hand to lift the cup.  The player of the match gong went to Ashton Shanley.

Both teams played the game in an excellent sporting manner, which made life easier for referee Chris Baker and his team of Kevin Hopkins, Adam Bewley and George Lynch who all had an excellent game.