AFC BLACKBIRDS overcome last weeks disappointment to lift the PREMIER CHALLENGE CUP, with a 4-1 victory at Court Farm Place.

After losing out to George FC in last weeks CJL Cup, AFC BLACKBIRDS were determined to add more honours to their League winners status. Blackbirds started the game stronger and had more of the possession in the early stages, passing the ball around with confidence. It was'nt long before a probing pass into STREET'S penalty area caught a Badgers defender on the wrong side of the Blackbirds attacker and the coming together led to a penalty for Blackbirds. BEN CURTIS stepped up and despite Streets keeper ACE EDMUNDS getting a hand to the ball, the strike proved too strong and BLACKBIRDS were one up. Buoyed by the early lead Blackbirds continued to press and soon found themselves two up, when JAMES COLLINS hit the ball with the outside of his left boot, which caught EDMUNDS wrong footed and sneaked into the far post. Street had the occasional break on the Blackbirds goal, but, could not find their past a resilient JORDAN DANIELS & CALLUM PREEDY. Blackbirds once again found themselves inside the Badgers penalty area and when the ball dropped to JAKE CHAMBERS, he unleashed a right footed shot into the back of the net to make it 3-0 at the break.
The second half began and Street must have had the "hairdryer" experience during the break because, they were a different team. Street were the ones applying the early pressure and in the second minute of the second half the ball fell to ALEX PRATCHETT just outside the Blackbirds box, who didn't waste any time in dispatching his strike into the far post to make it 3-1. The Badgers were now starting to take the game to Blackbirds and were beginning to get the upper hand when, JAMES COLLINS found himself latching onto a through ball down the left side for Blackbirds. He took his strike early and hit an unstoppable shot past EDMUNDS in the Badgers goal, who could only watch as the ball hit the back of the net, EDMUNDS himself said "it was a great strike". Not to be outdone Street continued to press and cause problems down the left hand side, with STEVE PRICE continually putting in teasing crosses which again were dealt with by JORDAN DANIELS. Blackbirds were now having to play counter attacking football, but, could not find a way past STEVE PRICE who was holding strong at left back for the badgers. With the game starting to open up and changes being made MATTY BRANDISH and ANDY DAVIES started to find themselves controlling the midfield for Badgers. Despite finishing the game stronger it was'nt to be for the Badgers as the final whistle blew and Blackbirds were the 2013 PREMIER CHALLENGE CUP winners.