VOLUNTEER Arms finally laid to rest their cup final hoodoo with a hard fought 2-0 win over York John Smith's Sunday Football League Bitter Cup holders Severus SC.

Arms had fallen several times at the last hurdle but this time two goals by Phil O'Reilly in a five-minute period in the second half wrapped up victory.

Severus took the early initiative with John Lake shooting inches wide but Volunteer weathered the early storm and their midfield started to take control.

After Jones was foiled by Volunteer's goalkeeper Sykes and Morton shot wide for Severus, man of the match Phil O'Reilly saw his shot hit the underneath of Richardson's bar in the Severus goal and squirm wide.

Two minutes later a Morton strike was well saved at the near post but Volunteer were looking increasingly dangerous. A mazy run by Matty Wain saw him through but, as he shaped to shoot, Matthews nipped it off his toe to blaze over the Severus bar.

Volunteer weren't to be foiled for long though and O'Reilly latched on to a through ball on the hour before calmly side-stepping the 'keeper and slotting home from 20 yards. Five minutes later Mark Thompson broke through and as his shot was blocked it fell to O'Reilly who knocked it home.

A long clearance from defence was then headed on by O'Reilly to Jackson whose stunning strike was equally well saved by Richardson.

Severus put the Volunteer defence under sustained pressure in the closing stages, forcing six corners, but they held firm to take the trophy.

Updated: 11:30 Thursday, May 05, 2005