Index win THURSDAY

SEMI-FINALS Griffin All Stars 0 Monteraze 1 -- this game lived up to its billing, with both teams playing the football we have come to expect from them. Ian Winnard's goal in the fifth minute, a terrific finish after a flowing build up. The All Stars gave all they had, but failed to break down the Monteraze defence.

Index 0 VM Mets 0 (Index won 5-4 on penalties) -- two very evenly matched teams, although goalless produced a very good game to watch. Neither attacking force could find that finishing touch, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw after normal and the Golden Goal period of extra time. The first eight penalties all produced goals, Vets Darren Cooper had his shot saved by the Index keeper Clive Haslam, and up stepped Index striker Gary Boardman to slot the ball home and earn his side a place in the final.

FINAL Index 1 Monteraze 0 -- Monteraze Manager Dave Hattel confided in me prior to the game, that he was not confident of completing the treble for the second year running. His feelings were correct, for Index deserved their moment of glory, and although Monteraze dominated the game they could not find a way through the Index defence. When they did manage a shot on target, Index keeper Clive Haslam easily dealt with their efforts. Two minutes into the second half Index work-horse Peter Consterdine took advantage of a rare slip up by the Monteraze defence, to score what proved to be the winning goal. Monteraze were all over them in the closing minutes, but the day belonged to Warren Hewitt and his team -- well done.

SUNDAY

SEMI-FINALS Alliance Windows 0 Barnstoneworth United 0 (Alliance won 4-3 on penalties) -- Premier Champions vrs Premier runners up. This was always going to be a very tough game for both sides. Champs Alliance had the best chance in normal play, Paul Lyons striking the post from an acute angle. United missed their enforcer Warren Sumner and didn't play with the same conviction. With neither side able to break the deadlock the game went into the dreaded penalty shoot-out, Alliance coming out on top 4-3 winners.

Able Auto 2 York 2 (York win 3-0 on penalties) -- a cracking game, a credit to both sides. Able got of to a flying start with a well worked goal neatly finished by John Rockcliffe in the opening minute. Rick Hill doubled Able's lead in the third minute, another cracking goal. At this stage the game looked won, but to their credit York fought their way back into the game and reduced the difference by one goal, when skipper Mike Hather caught the Able defence napping from a free kick. To be fair. by the interval York could have been in the lead but for some great stops from Able keeper Neil Terry. Able seemed to have weathered the storm, but once again they were caught asleep from a free kick, and Ross Flockhart stole in to snatch a late equaliser. The Golden Goal period brought no further score, and the tie went York's way 3-0, keeper Graham Dyson their hero, saving three penalties on the trot.

FINAL York 2 Alliance Windows 2 (York won 3-1 on penalties) -- I think York will forgive me if I say the result of this game seemed to be a forgone conclusion, with Alliance expected to complete the double. However, within the first minute York shook Alliance with a great strike from Peter Cooper, and could have added a second prior to another good goal from Windows striker Paul Lyons in the seventh minute. In end to end stuff, both keepers, Graham Dyson and John Hinsley made good saves. In the ninth minute Simon Lightbown put York in front for the second time, putting the finishing touch to good team play. They hardly had time to celebrate, when Paul Lyons scored the best goal of the day to once again level the scores. After this flurry of goals, there was no further score, and the game was decided via the penalty shoot-out. Both teams had already experienced this in their semi final game, so they knew what to expect. That man Dyson was the York hero again, making two good saves to give York the Cup. No one expected them to win, well done York.

THE BURNDEN SUMMER LEAGUES

The Thursday night league will commence on Thursday, April 19.

The Sunday league will commence on Sunday, April 22.

Many thanks to the referees who have tuned out in all weather during the winter months.