FOOTBALL: THE experienced Phil Murray rolled back the years as his goal earned new side Prudhoe YC Seniors their first piece of silverware.

With newcomers Prudhoe facing off against Wallington in the final of the Stan Jackson Cup, as part of the annual Clayton Charity Cup, Murray‘s goal 10 minutes from time saw them to a slender 4-3 victory.

The former Stocksfield man has returned to Saturday football for the new campaign, and marked it with a left footed volley which was deflected into the back of the net and proved the decider.

Prudhoe edged the close-knit encounter with Wallington, who will play two divisions higher in the Northern Alliance Premier Division, with both sides showing plenty of encouraging signs ahead of next Saturday’s big kick off.

The advantage was with YC early on, good link-up play between Paddy Finnerty and Ben Pearson sending pacey winger Adam Greenwood through on goal.

The midfielder did the rest after running onto the pass, rifling the ball home for the opener.

It was 2-0 after 20 minutes, Finnerty stealing in to get his foot to Lee Blackburn‘s corner to divert the ball goalbound. Yet Wallington came roaring back into the tie after the break, and the returning Dan Thompson netted twice in quick succession to restore parity.

The second half became a ding-dong affair, Pearson stooping to regain the lead for Prudhoe with his head before Thompson completed his hat-trick to again level the scores.

It was over to Murray to show he’s still got it, his late effort seeing the Stan Jackson trophy head to Stocksfield Cricket Club.