Vance the hero as Longlevens 4ths win Dennis Mason Cup on penalties

Brandon Vance saved two as Longlevens 4ths lifted the Dennis Mason Cup on penalties, following a 2-2 draw with Ramblers on Friday night.

In front of a decent crowd at Meadowbank, Ramblers raced to a shock 2-0 lead, against higher opposition, with only seven minutes on the clock.

Jack Rees and Josh Hergest had the Division Four (North) Champions ahead to stun the Division Three Champions, but Kieran Brice-Ingles’ header reduced arrears just before the break.

Leo Marsden-Green’s second half equaliser sent the game to penalties, despite Levens being reduced to 10, with Ryan Alderman sent off late on.

But Longlevens’ U18s Manager and goalkeeper, Vance, saved two of the three Ramblers spotkicks, with an effort off the bar in between.

Billy Wainwright, Brad Barnard and Tom Hill converted for Levens, with Vance sealing the deal with a great second stop.

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In the game itself, Ramblers raced out of the blocks. Jack Rees beat the offside trap inside the first four minutes and lashed past Vance.

Josh Hergest stepped up just three minutes later to whip a gorgeous free kick into the far corner.

Leo Marsden-Green and Ryan Alderman had efforts saved as Longlevens looked to get back into the game, before Marsden-Green then struck the foot of the post just before the half hour mark.

Longlevens knew they needed a goal before the break, and it came in first half stoppage time as Kieran Brice-Ingles headed home a corner from the left.

The second half started very scrappy, with chances at a premium for both sides.

Ramblers did well to try an run the clock down and frustrate their opponents and it worked up until the final 15 minutes.

After winning the ball in midfield, the ball was played to Marsden-Green, who fired in off the post to restore parity for his sidd.

Both sides exchanged chances off target in the final 10 minutes, before Floyd Fishley had an effort saved and Jack Rees volleyed over.

Then, with penalties looking, Ryan Alderman was issued a second yellow card for a lunge in midfield and his race was run.

But Vance and his teammates held their nerve to lift the Dennis Mason Cup, in an unfortunate ending for a very efficient Ramblers side.

Longlevens 4ths: Vance, C Gallifent, Brice-Inglis, J Gallifent, Shelton, Butler, Evans, Alderman, Marsden-Green, Barnard, Parker

Subs: Wainwright, Hill, Biddlecombe, Martin, Finchley

Ramblers: Drinkwater, Leach, J Fries, Stevenson, Goddard, Hergest, Holmes, Fowler-Moore, A Fries, Pierce, Rees

Subs: Potter, Cooper, Lyulchuk, Muggleton

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Brandon Vance (Longlevens 4ths)

The Stroud League Cup finals continue this weekend, with Dursley Town 4ths playing Minety Reserves in the Derek Freebury Shield at Tetbury Town on Saturday, before Rising Stars play Upton St Leonards at Saw Mills on Sunday.

Cover photo taken by and copyright to Brian Rossiter. Check out his Flickr account for all of his pictures by clicking here