Norwich Central Baptist Church created Norfolk Christian Football League history by winning a straight hat-trick of Bishop’s Cup final victories wins on Saturday May 3 while Meadow Way Chapel made their own history in the Shield final.

NCBC beat Kings Community Church 2-0 in the Bishop Maurice Wood Cup final at Mulbarton United’s Mulberry Park to collect the trophy for the third year in a row. They also beat Kings in last year’s final.

A crowd of around 80 saw NCBC start brightly and score a very early opener from a Matthew Price free kick outside the box. Kevin Finch went up for the header with a defender and got the first touch to beat keeper Chris Scott. to collect the trophy for the third year in a row. They also beat Kings in last year’s final.

 

It was a scrappy first half with few chances and both sides finding it hard to get the ball under control for long. It ended with a penalty for NCBC which captain Chris Morgan stepped up to take. Keeper Chris Scott made a great save low to his right to keep Kings in the game at half-time.

 

Kings seemed to up their game after the break and had a couple of clear chances. Ciaran McClellan just missed the top right-hand corner with a chip over the keeper and substitute Chris Baikie came on to go close twice.

 

NCBC put one hand on the trophy after around 65 minutes when David Meier latched onto a through ball inside the box and shot across the keeper into the bottom left-hand corner to put the holders 2-0 up.

 

Playing with more control now, NCBC nearly made it three with five minutes to go when a looping shot hit the foot of the post but bounced clear. But they had already done enough to earn their third cup win in a row.

 

Earlier in the day, Meadow Way Chapel created their own bit of history by beating Stalham Baptist Church 3-1 in the Wroxham Road Shield final at the same venue; their first final appearance and piece of silverware in 13 seasons as a club.

 

Meadow Way took a first-half lead through Neil Smith and the game remained close until the final ten minutes when Drew Collins put Meadow Way 2-0 up. Stalham replied through Neil Harris but Neil Thompson wrapped up the first-ever win for Meadow Way with a third goal in the final minute.

 

Meanwhile on Saturday, in the Norfolk Christian Men’s League, Proclaimers pulled off a great 5-2 win in their final match of the season against second-placed Witard Road to go four points clear at the top and give themselves a real chance of the title. Witard Road now have two games left in which to make up the four-point gap on Proclaimers and have a superior goal difference.