TONY COHEN CUP FINAL
HEATON PARK ROVERS 2 SOUTH MANCHESTER SPORTS 2nd 3
SOUTH MANCHESTER SPORTS 2ND sealed their cup double after Louis Rawlings suffered mixed emotions in the Tony Cohen Cup final.
Mark Magid's side added to their recent Harold Feldman Trophy triumph thanks to a nail-biting win over Heaton Park Rovers.
Rawlings struck twice before Nathan Ezair's corner flew straight in to leave South Manchester Sports 2nd in the box-seat.
But Jonny Franks - the MJSL's top scorer - hit back and Marc Broude set up a grandstand finish with a fine strike.
HPR pushed forward and were given hope when Rawlings collected a second yellow card after kicking the ball away late on.
Despite the scare, South Manchester Sports 2nd foiled HPR to retain the trophy.
South Manchester boss Marc Magid told JC Sport: "It's been a monumental effort to reach and win two finals. At the start of the season, with us losing so many key players, I didn't know how we would cope.
"But we found a blend of young and older players who have come together and have been immense. If we can win our final two league games we can finish fourth. Put all of that together and it's an amazing achievement.
"I think we can keep this team together for next year. The boys enjoy training under our coach Paul Kirkham, who is a massive asset, and are learning with every game. I couldn't be prouder."
Reflecting on the Tony Cohen Cup final, Magid said: "We just about hung on as we ran out of steam late on.
"Losing Louis to a two yellow cards, which was the right decision, left us having to defend for our lives.
"I lost our two centre backs before the game so we I was a little hesitant as we playing against a good HPR side who were favourites.
"Their league position belies their quality they have and they have the league's top-scorer Jonny Franks in their ranks.
"But, just just all season, we were superb and showed great character."
