Final 31/5/21 @ Hampden Road

SWINTON Athletic clinched a record-breaking eighth success in the Mexborough Montagu Cup on Bank Holiday Monday .
Their deserved 2-1 win in the final over favourites Joker means that Swinton move ahead of seven times winners Mexborough Main Street and Wombwell Main to become outright Cup Kings of the ‘Mont’.
Although two goal Matt Thornton was the match winning hero, it was the all-round teamwork of Swinton which earned them their victory over the crack Rotherham Sunday League side.
Swinton, the holders, seemed to relish their underdogs tag right from the start and whether defending or attacking, their energetic, committed performance never gave Joker a moment’s peace.
The lack of serious goalmouth action in the first half was largely due to strong defending by both sides but it was an intriguing opening half for the crowd of around 600.
The decisive goals arrived within two minutes of each other early in the second half.
The troublesome Enzo Guarini provided the perfect centre for Matt Thornton to rise at the far post and head Swinton into a 57th minute lead.
Two minutes later, Thornton pounced on a loose ball around 25 yards out and smartly lobbed keeper Jamie Bailey to put Swinton in dreamland.
It was inevitable Joker would hit back hard and they wasted two great chances with Jordan Watson making a couple of important saves including denying Josh Nodder when he was clean through.
By the time Joker did reply, Joe Austin powering home a header from Nodder’s cross, it was the first minute of stoppage time and it proved too late.
It meant Joker failed in the first leg of a Cup double attempt as they conclude their season in Thursday’s Rotherham Charity Cup Final against Sheffield side AFC Three Feathers at Parkgate (7pm).
Les Payne