Sounds good doesn't it! We had to work very hard for it with Crofton Saints once again putting up an excellent performance to try and deny us a result.
As we had to make a 40 mile journey to Whitchurch United FC's home ground to enjoy the Testway League's hospitality we chose to go by coach (thanks to Brijan's driver Martin who'd only got in at 4am from Old Trafford! Never mind, he got to watch some proper football this time!). This allowed all the travelling players, management and supporters to get there safely, on time and, perhaps most importantly, allowed us to tell the world who we were as we put posters up at both ends of the coach!!
Having handed out the new yellow away strip and got the formalities over with it is was out to face Crofton for the trophy.
The Final started in typical frantic style with both teams carving out good chances, Crofton shooting wide in the 1st minute from 25 yards, Andy "Slinger" Wood seeing a long, lobbed shot just loop over the bar and then, in the 6th minute Crofton carving an opening on the left hand side but just shooting wide.
In the 8th minute the first goal came. Connor Frampton took a long throw from the right hand side, the ball was half cleared by the Crofton defence but Josh Skinner was waiting some 25 yards out and looped a stunning effort over the keeper and in. 0-1 (Does he not score ordinary goals?)
Two minutes later and a long, accurate Tom Bath clearance found Conor Mansfield who out-muscled his way through a Crofton challenge, accellerated away and shot, only to see his effort bog down in the goalmouth mud and the keeper fall onto it.
On 14 minutes Crofton again made good progress down their left hand side, cut inside, unleash a shot which cannons off the bar and is knocked in at the far post for the equaliser. 1-1
Lee seemed to not recover from this knock-back and without really testing Crofton conceded a corner on 20 minutes from which Mark Wheeler made a completely unchallenged run to nod the ball in for the Crofton second. 2-1
This time Lee were sparked back into life and straight from kick-off Josh Read saw a header well saved by the keeper.
A minute later Sam Bowen shot wide from a tight angle.
On 27 minutes Crofton broke and shot over the bar from distance.
Once again Lee went straight back down the other end and again Sam Bowen was a little unfortunate to see a header go a yard wide, this time from Josh Skinner's free kick delivery.
Sam Bowen made amends on 36 minutes, this time finsihing coolly across the Crofton keeper having received a delightful Josh Read through-ball behind the right back. 2-2
Bouyed by this and with momentum with them Lee immediately retrieved the ball from kick off and Conor Mansfield once again got a shot off which the keeper gathered well.
It wasn't until the 44th minute that Crofton mustered a shot which a well-positioned Tom Bath gathered easily.
The second half started with much the same Lee pressure with Matt Baldwin ghosting in at the far post on 52 minutes but only to see his header come back off the Crofton bar.
Two minutes later and Crofton got their first opportunity of the half with a shot from the left hand side passing wide.
Mark "Chopper" Sones got his head on a Josh Skinner free kick on 59 minutes but the keeper gathered safely. Crofton then saw a free kick gathered equally safely by Tom Bath.
With Lee continuing to provide much of the attacking pressure the 68th minute saw a Josh Read short corner to Josh Skinner was not cleared and Craig Vincent was on hand with a left-foot swinger to put Lee back in front 2-3
This only sparked Crofton back into life however and for 15 minutes the pressure was fairly relentless but with few clear chances created. The one time Lee did break (77 minutes) they were caught with six men ahead of the ball and some swift Crofton passing saw the ball delivered across from the right and tapped in at the far post. 3-3
And that was that for chances in regular time. Players succumbed to cramp, frustration and excitement but Extra -Time loomed large.
The first period of extra time saw no real creativity with both teams struggling to come to terms with fatigue.
The second period was a different story. With Lee playing down the slope it became tem minutes of complete Lee domination with chances coming as early as the third minute when Conor Mansfield blazed across the goal from two yards.
Crofton then had their only chance of extra time with Mark Wheeler creating space for a shot but putting it straight at Tom Bath.
A minute later and Dan Newman, now playing on the right, gathered the ball, evaded the lunging challenge from the left back only to blast his shot over the bar.
Thirty seconds later and Lewis Whitehead was allowed to carry the ball for some thirty yards before unleashing a shot from 25 yards that passed well wide.
Another thirty seconds and another Lee chance, this time Ryan Haycock putting the ball inches wide and then with only a minute remaining Dan Newman hit the post with a header from a Josh Skinner free kick that Crofton did not defend.
So it was to penalties. Volunteers were sought and found, the order agreed and with belief in the technique of the players and also in Tom Bath's ability between the posts we stepped up.
Slinger scored the first comfortably to instantly put pressure on the first Crofton taker. This clearly told as Tom was able to make an excellent save with his legs. 1-0
Ryan Haycock then drilled one down the middle, 2-0, Crofton replied 2-1
Chopper then scored the coolest, inch perfect effort, 3-1, Crofton again replied 3-2
Josh Skinner drove one that relied on pace to beat the keeper, 4-2, Crofton scored to keep themselves in it, 4-3
And so Lewis Whitehead stepped up to settle it, and he did, with another example of quality technique under pressure and Lee Rangers won it 5-3
Celebrations went on long past the excellent presentation speeches, the photos and the songs in the changing room and the residents of Whitchurch were treated to some "interesting" songs from a deliriously happy Lee Rangers coach (the vehicle not the person!) as it made it's way back south with the lovely glass trophy safe and sound. Nice one lads, the first reward for an excellent season.
Good job this lot are 18! (Well the one's with the champagne!)
A big thanks to all the parents, brothers and sisters and also a few hangers-on and other fans that made the effort to get to Whitchurch for midweek evening kick-off. Your support was invaluable.
Back to the league on Saturday and then the Mid Solent Cup Final on Tuesday.
The victorious squad:
And the STILL unbeaten shirt! This time hidden under the suit.