JDS coast to big win in first cup final of the new Leamington and District Sunday League season

Midland Rovers blown away by seven goal salvo

The first cup final of the new Tracey Thomas Leamington and District Sunday Football League season saw JDS hammer Midland Rovers 7-1 to land the Maurice Billington Cup.

Ian Billington hands over the Maurice Billington Cup to JDS Captain Aron Lomax. | Mark Rowlatt

placeholder image — Ian Billington hands over the Maurice Billington Cup to JDS Captain Aron Lomax. | Mark Rowlatt

The match kicked off at 7pm under floodlights on a fantastic looking pitch.

Rovers were competitive and made it hard for JDS and both sides were evenly matched in the early exchanges.

Referee James Connolly with Assistants Craig Cunniff and John Ahearne and fourth official Martin Dempster, with Captains Rhys Bufton and Aron Lomax. | Mark Rowlatt

JDS created a few half chances, before scoring the opening goal.

Around the 20-minute mark, and following a counter attack down the right wing and cross into the box, Steve Thomas hammered the ball home high into the net.

Further opportunities came and went, and then as JDS settled, centre half Dan Cooper made a rare forage up field and scored the second goal on 36 minutes, hitting another shot from the edge of the box high into the net - an unusual scorer, who had only scored once for JDS in the past three seasons.

Late on in the half Ellis St John then crashed a shot off the underside of the cross bar, but it bounced clear without crossing the line.

The teams line up before kick off. | Mark Rowlatt

The start of the second half saw JDS tighten their grip on the game, when Dan Dyer scored the third goal six minutes after the re-start.

Another cracker, hitting another unstoppable shot with his left foot, high into top right corner of the net.

Steve Thomas then scored his second with a fine solo goal, running through and beatings several defenders, before calmly slotting the ball low in the net.

JDS made it five when they were awarded a penalty, which Dyer converted for his second.

Further chances and opportunities came and went with JDS forcing a series of good saves from the Rovers goalkeeper.

With 15 minutes to go Dyer completed his well-deserved hat trick to make it six.

Jamie Plummer scored a seventh for JDS with a tap in on the line, after Ellis St John had dribbled past several Midland Rovers defenders, and the keeper.

Rovers managed to grab a very late consolation Robert Pritchard prodding the ball home from close range, the ball clearly over the line.

Dan Cooper was JDS Man Of The match for a great solid performance and also his fine and very rare goal.

The first silverware of the season was presented by Ian Billington to JDS captain Aron Lomax.