Like City last season, Clarendon thoroughly deserved this Cup win; mainly because of the extremely tough draw throughout the comptetion. It could be argued that they played the best sides in the League: Whilst they avoided an extra match in the First Round, they more than made up for it with a trip to their old foes, St Mary's; a match they won 3-1.

Next up were Champions Church. Now Clarendon have drawn Champions in the last three seasons and knocked them out every time. This was perhaps the toughest test with Matt Williams scoring a free-kick in the last minutes of extra-time.

In the quarters Clarendon drew Rowley College, their 'easy' tie of the competition! Rowley had struggled in the early part of their season but were in the midst of a rich run of results and as in the previous round, the match went to extra-time, this time no decisive goal was scored and penalties were required. But Rowley went to pieces and Clarendon were through to the semis. So the quarter-final was the only match Clarendon played against a team from outside of the top six of Division One.

Onwards they went to a game against City Church, 2010 winners and Cup holders. Clarendon made easy work of that match winning unexpectedly 4-0 and onto the final against the much improved Zion Athletic.

From Ed's Eye:

A real big thank you to everybody that turned up at the Cup Final last night. It was a superb event. There were many familiar faces from right across the league. Thank you to every one who helped put the match on, especially Neil Kovàcs, who put in loads of effort with the programmes and on the gate, Richard Webster and Graham Brazier who set up the match with Stourbridge FC and their work on the night and James Orotayo who also helped make the night run smoothly.

We'd also like to thank Ian Pilkington, Chairman of Stourbridge FC for the loan of their ground, to the match officials: referee Daren Appleby, assistants Jack Donati-Bourne and Keith Rzepkowski and fourth official Dave Corrigan, who did an excellent job.

We also had two great clubs, Clarendon and Zion Athletic who were both brilliant on the night.

Ashley Innis (who incidentally played in his sixth Cup Final on Tuesday night) says: Tuesday evening's game was a great advert for WMCFL with both teams playing having spells where we played attacking and free flowing football. Despite news before the game that Jal (Jon Allen) was due to miss out for Zion, we knew that Zion would still field a strong side, a few of their players were coming back from injuries in recent weeks but we were never going to let that fool us into believing that Zion would not be as strong a test as they had been in the two league games we’d played them in earlier in the season. As for Clarendon we were fielding a very strong side – that said, any of the players on the bench could have slipped into the starting line-up and we’d have been equally as strong.

The game started off quite tightly with neither side really getting the ball down and playing the passing football both side are capable of. I think Zion created the first chance with some good interplay between Westy and Jimmy Cutler who shot wide. As the game moved on, the real battle was on the middle of the park, with both sets of midfielders trying to get a stranglehold on play. For Zion ‘Westy’ was looking dangerous down their right-hand side, whilst for Clarendon Jason Greene and Pablo were working the channels well despite being man-marked and were supported by runs from across midfield. I can’t recall many chances of note in the first half, except when Pablo managed to wriggle out of a cul-de-sac of three Zion players to unleash a shot which hit back off the bar and away to safety. Jimmy Cutler had a few chances for Zion but nothing that really troubled our goalkeeper Obi.

We went in at half time with the scores level at 0-0.

We gathered our thoughts in the changing room and took on board the comments from our manager and coaches; we recognised that whilst we were not really being threatened, Zion had been the better side in the first half. Jason and Pablo were being man-marked and whilst Craig and I were interchanging our positions well on the right-hand side we knew we could create more going forward and get the ball down and start playing it around a little more. I should also add at this point that at half time it was mentioned that some criticism/banter was being directed at one of our players (who shall remain nameless) from the side…, we know who he is and I have to say he was top class in the second half and showed excellent character to ignore it and help drive us forward second half.

Both sides started the second half strongly, Moses continued his ‘terrier’ like work in midfield alongside Laurie who was beginning to get on the ball a lot more and dominate the midfield. About ten minutes into the second half I played a one-two with Jason Greene about ten yards into the Zion half and found myself on the edge of the area, I shifted the ball to the right of their defender and having caught it well my shot beat the keeper at his left hand side. In my 6th Cup Final I was delighted to get my first goal. Form then on the tide started to turn and I felt Clarendon were always going to go on and win … credit to Zion, players like Cutler, Toomey, and Westy (who for me was their best player on the night) persevered and kept going.

We created several more chances, both Pablo and I shot just wide when we both should have scored, before Matt Williams picked a beaut of a pass to find Jason Greene, through one-on-one with the keeper he looped his shot over him and into the top corner. I could see the belief drain out of some of the Zion players and some heads dropped.

Ethan, who we knew could be dangerous for Zion picked up an injury midway through the second half and losing him was a blow for Zion, but they kept working hard and credit to them for that. Further chances fell to Luke Pinnock, Jason Green and Pablo before the end as well as a couple of close chances for Zion. Tommy Woodwood came on in midfield and picked up the pace well, remaining calm in possession and utilising the ball well, Aaron replaced Luke and posed a different threat down the left with his pace and trickery – resulting in further chances for us, and Big Greene replaced me near the end and held the ball up well.

Its fair to say over the course of the game we probably deserved to win. Our defence of Craig, Matt, Roger and Daley stood up well against most that Zion threw at us and we knew with our strong midfield and two of the best strikers in the league if we played like we could we would run out winners on the night as we did.

All of Zions players should hold their heads high - each of them gave 100% despite some carrying injuries. A special mention to a few other people too, Louis Williams and Selvin Gayle for their encouragement, direction and motivation throughout the season and through the night on Tuesday, also to our substitutes who again from the side encouraged and motivated.

A well done to the referees who helped to ensure the game remained free flowing and absent of incidents, there were a few hearty challenges from both sides but the referee and his assistants remained in control throughout the evening and let the game flow well.

I’d also like to give a big thank you on behalf of all of the players to all of those who gave up their Tuesday night and turned out to support both teams – it really is appreciated and the difference those cheers (and boos) make cannot be under-estimated so a big thank you to all of those who came along.

Finally to the league and relevant committee members for organising the venue and to Stourbridge Town for letting us use their ground and facilities.

Final Clarendon 2 v 0 Zion Athletic Semi Finals City Church 0 v 4 Clarendon Zion Athletic 2 v 1 MBD United Quarter Finals Chawn Hill Church 1 v 3 Zion Athletic Living Hope Church 0 v 7 MBD United Rowley College 1 v 1 Clarendon (Clarendon won 3-1 on penalties) Sheldon 0 v 4 City Church Round Three Champions Church 0 v 1 Clarendon EK Corintha 0 v 5 City Church Junction Ten Village 1 v 3 Chawn Hill Church King's AFC 2 v 4 Rowley College MBD United 2 v 0 Darkhouse Rockmount United 2 v 3 Zion Athletic Sheldon 4 v 1 Renewal Solihull St Matthew's 2 v 5 Living Hope Church Round Two Junction Ten Village 5 v 2 Bournbrook Athletic Renewal Solihull 9 v 3 Beacon Church Dynamo Kingswinford 0 v 3 King's AFC Rockmount United 7 v 1 Halesowen Athletic St Mary's 1 v 3 Clarendon Pye Green Towers 0 v 4 Chawn Hill Church Charlemont Star 2 v 5 Darkhouse Sheldon 2 v 0 Amblecote MBD United 3 v 1 St Thomas Aldridge City Church 4 v 2 Sandwell United St Matthew's 5 v 1 Lighthouse Lions Selly Oak Methodist 2 v 3 EK Corinthia Living Hope Church 2 v 0 Brierley Hill AOG Zion Athletic 8 v 1 Halesowen Zion Rowley College 4 v 1 Wolverhampton and Perton Churches Round One Common Ground United 1 v 2 EK Corinthia Sporting Zion 0 v 4 MBD United Revival Fires 5 v 7 Amblecote Rowley College 6 v 0 All Nations