SHADWELL FC faced seven times league champions Green Dragon at Thetford Town FC in the final of the League Knock-Out Florida Cup and gained a famous 2-1 victory.

SHADWELL FC faced seven times league champions Green Dragon at Thetford Town FC in the final of the League Knock-Out Florida Cup and gained a famous 2-1 victory.

The Green Dragon were playing some great football and but for three top drawer saves from Shadwell goalkeeper Mark Snowdon would have surely extended their lead. Darren Clay proved his inclusion in the starting line-up was fully deserved as he made a tremendous goal line clearance to prevent the Green Dragon from increasing their lead. Shadwell continued to battle for each other and created a couple of good chances towards the end of the half but found the Green Dragon goalkeeper Daniel Radcliffe in fine form as he made a couple of good saves as well as confidently claiming some crosses that were put into the penalty box by the Shadwell wide players.

The first half ended with the Green Dragon deservedly ahead after dominating for long periods in the game, however, Shadwell believed they were still very much in the match despite trailing 1-0.

Shadwell started the second half at a much quicker tempo and really started to win their own individual battles. The never-say-die attitude of Steven Davies and the commanding Matthew Catchpole started to dominate the centre of midfield for Shadwell as they started to see a lot more of the ball. Alex Dagraca and Tommy Brown continued to work hard on the flanks for the side defensively as well as offensively.

Shadwell's defensive line of Darren Clay, John Moore, Tommy Dean and Ray Lott looked solid and were dealing with the threat from the Green Dragon efficiently. Shadwell's pressure eventually told as they equalized on the hour mark when great play from Alex Dagraca saw him play in Alyn Rourke whose fizzing cross was diverted into the net by the unfortunate Patrick Armes to net an unlucky own goal 1-1.

Shadwell nearly took the lead moments later when a free-kick from Ray Lott saw the impressive Luke Catchpole get on the end of it and glance a header towards goal. It seemed a certain goal all the way however Daniel Radcliffe somehow managed to brilliantly tip the ball away to produce a breathtaking save.

Shadwell goalkeeper Mark Snowdon was then called upon at the other end to make a good save, however Shadwell were the team that were asking most of the questions in the second half. Tommy Brown then went close for Shadwell before Matt Spencer substituted him in place of Dean Sofley.

The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Shadwell took the lead with Luke Catchpole firing home from close range and sending the Shadwell bench and supporters into ecstasy as they knew there wasn't long to go in the game. The Green Dragon now started to pile on the pressure as they searched for an equalizer and they nearly made Shadwell pay on 87 minutes, however Patrick Armes fired just over the bar and Shadwell were let off the hook.

Shadwell continued to look dangerous on the break too as the Green Dragon threw extra bodies forward in a bid to get back into the game.

The final whistle eventually went and Shadwell FC against all odds managed to secure a famous victory over the Green Dragon and become the newly crowned winners of the League Knock-Out Florida Cup. Shadwell Manager Matt Spencer was delighted with all of his squad for the commitment, desire and effort shown throughout the match which saw them defeat the league champions.

Man Of The Match: Mark Snowdon, who produced three stunning saves in the first half to keep Shadwell in the match.