Lancaster City Under 23s win Lancashire League Cup Final

Lancaster City U23s won the Lancashire League Cup after beating Ramsbottom United U21s 1-0 at the WEC Anchor Ground in Darwen.

A nervy encounter soon broke into life with chances at either end on 10 minutes, with majority of the play coming through Joel Davidson down the left hand side.

One of the better chances came on 19 minutes, a move broken down by Brandon Mann saw a chance fall to Daniel Taylor but the shot sailed over.

As the game went on it was Lancaster City who were looking most likely to score. Joel Davidson and Daniel Taylor hitting the post making the Ramsbottom ‘keeping scrambling to his right-hand side.

Against the run of play Ramsbottom had a free kick on the edge of the box on 33 minutes, tipped over the bar by Cole Stephenson.

On 42 minutes Samuel Olawumi headed onto the bar and the game drifted to half time goalless.

The nervousness returned for the second half and chances were hard to come by. This was paramount when a harmless ball into the Lancaster City box on 61 minutes almost ended into the goal after a defensive mix-up.

Chances were at a premium but on 76 minutes Joel Davidson picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fires into the top corner to give the Young Dollies a slender lead.

Ramsbottom rarely threatened on the night and when chances came on the 85th and 88th minute sailed over the bar, and a smart save from Cole Stephenson on 89 minutes.

In stoppage time Ramsbottom United turned up the heat but the Dolly Blue defence held out and the solitary strike secured the win and the Lancashire League Cup.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jenson Butterworth