That was the last real action of the first half, but if Wragby thought they’d have control in the second, they were very much mistaken. Boultham started much brighter, with the ten men playing more like a twelve. Wragby couldn’t find a rhythm and it was no surprise when they conceded again. It was a simple finish after a ball through, and it had the Wragby players looking at each other aghast. Was their big day turning into one to forget?
It could have been 3-1, but for more great keeping from Harness diving to save in a one-on-one situation, but as the game wore on, the black and white shirts began to find space. Sincil Bank is a big pitch, and it’s a great surface, very different from Wragby’s Lincoln Road ground. Perhaps the slick passing game Sunday League Pep wants to play is hampered by molehills and the odd dip at home, but on the carpeted surface of the Bank, they began to find their feet.
It took a disputed free kick to get back into the game. A soft(ish) challenge gave them a dead ball situation ten yards outside of the area, and from the deliver, Parker grabbed his second of the game. It was the spark that lit the touchpaper.
With the game back level at 2-2, Wragby began to dominate. it might have been the warm sun and the man advantage, but Boultham visibly tired, whilst Laming made a shape change, bringing off Hillreiner and going to four at the back. It worked; getting more support around Parker meant Boutham had too much to think about at the back, and couldn’t venture forward. Not long after getting level, they took the lead.
Once again, Parker was involved. He found space down the left, and instead of shooting, delivered a ball across the area. from where I was sitting, I couldn’t see who turned it against the bar, but it cannoned off and fell to the feet of Jack Richards. He has one cup goal in six matches this season but made it two with a vicious shot that went in off the underside of the bar.
Wragby were purring now, and Laming felt confident enough to start making changes, eventually giving all of his players a runout. Off came Scott Lowman, a former Lincoln United man, but it didn’t affect the flow of the game. They added a fourth, a wonderful strike that would grace the hallowed turf of the Bank on a League One matchday. Richards was the provider this time, delivering an inch-perfect cross that split the defence and keeper. Parker lurked at the back stick and produced a quality finish to secure the trophy.
4-2 may have been a little harsh on Boultham, who certainly made the game a spectacle. After those shaky opening few minutes, they showed some lovely touches and asked plenty of questions of Wragby’s back line. In the end, they didn’t quite have enough, but had it remained 11v11, there’s every chance we could have seen extra time, as we did in the semi-final against Broadley.
The final whistle brought jubilant scenes from the black and white bench. Laming punched the air and waved up at his Mum, Dad, and partner Steph in the stands, remembering to shake the hand of his opposite number before celebrating with his team. The teams stayed out on the field for the presentations, with Brenden Parker getting Player of the Match for his hat trick. Gavin Gordon and Terry Cooper were on hand to present, and Bubs ensured he captured the celebrations, so future generations of Wragby players can remember what this team achieved.
It helped that I was there as well, with a sense of civic pride, if you like. Wragby is my hometown; I grew up there, went to school there, and drink there when the occasion calls these days. Sunday League finals don’t often mean a lot to those who don’t get to them, but for a village team (although Wragby is actually a town) it is a big thing, and rightly so. The 16 did their team proud and gave Sincil Bank a festival of football that few in the stands could be disappointed by.
