Barnoldswick Town United 2 Earby Town 2
Barnoldswick won 5-4 on penalties.

This was local football at its best with late drama keeping the largest crowd to attend a Morrison Cup final in recent years on their toes to the very end.

Both clubs deserve credit for their displays and the large crowd of more than 300 for their support of this West Craven derby.

Barnoldswick Town United were only formed last summer and are members of the East Lancs League and sealed their first ever silverware with a penalty shoot-out in the gathering gloom.

Both sides tried hard to gain the upperhand in midfield but with the defences on top form it meant that chances were limited.

However, it was Barnoldswick who took the lead in an entertaining game when Aiden Lee produced a unstoppable shot after 15 minutes.

Earby, roared on by a sizable following, levelled matters when Jake Palmer scored from close range before the break.

The second half continued in the same fashion with extra-time being required as the daylight faded fast.

Two stoppages extended the time played and with every one looking for a penalty shoot-out, Barnoldswick regained the lead dramatically when substitute James Heaton crashed a shot home much to the joy of his team- mates and supporters who came onto the pitch in celebration.

The action was still coming thick and fast. Earby mounted an attack and thought they had scored a equaliser only to be denied by the raised offside flag of a linesman.

Regrettably the worst side of football came out when the Earby Town manager and a player were sent from the field of play for dissent.

This memorably night still had not finished as Earby launched a ball into the Barnoldswick area in one last desperate attack resulting in a defender handling the ball.

Palmer duly slotted home the penalty to force a shoot out from the penalty spot which Barnoldswick won 5-4 .

The successful skipper Keiron Lee was voted man of the match.

Referee Ray Torczuk and linesmen Chas Veighey and Tony Venn used their vast experience in controlling the later stages of the game.

The Craven FA complete the season tomorrow when the Blue Fin Craven Challenge Cup final is played at Rolls FC (6.30pm) between Rimington and Bentham – a repeat of last year’s final which Rimington won after a replay.