ELLIOTT Anderson converted the winning spot kick as York College won a thrilling English Colleges National FA Cup final on penalties at Walsall’s Bescott Stadium.

Man-of-the-match Joe Dunnett had earlier scored his second goal of the game to force extra-time after opponents Gower College, of Swansea, had fought back from 2-0 down, having fallen behind to a second-minute Jack Simpson opener, to take control of the game in the second half.

The scores remained 3-3 following another half-hour of football although both teams hit the frame of the goal right at the death.

Twelve-yard conversions by Marcel Chigumira, Dunnett, Tom Hullock, Sean Hunter and Anderson, along with a save from Nick Lock, then ensured that York lifted the trophy courtesy of a 5-4 sudden-death success.

It was a great display of character by the Sim Balk Lane students who, in March, were unlucky 3-2 losers to Farnborough in the English Schools FA Under-18s National Cup at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium.

In this contest, York got off to a flying start when Simpson headed in a left-wing cross by David Barber from the first attack of the game.

A one-sided first half also saw Chigumira head wide from Rob Hutton’s corner and Simpson go close with a deflected attempt after sprinting on to Donald Chimalilo’s through ball.

The lead was eventually doubled on 24 minutes when Hutton’s corner from the right was met with a powerful downward header by Dunnett.

Angus Richardson went on to go close twice for York, while keeper Lock was tested for the first time by a free kick that he safely gathered on the stroke of half-time.

But the Welsh team were a different side after the break and reduced the deficit on 48 minutes when Danny Williams headed in from a right-wing free kick.

Williams also went close with an ambitious 40-yard lob and an inswinging corner that crossed the line was ruled out due to a foul on Lock.

As Williams broke through, Lock also smothered his shot well, but the Gower number 10 was not to be denied on 70 minutes when he levelled matters with the fourth header of the game from a right-wing flag kick.

The game was then completely turned on its head six minutes later when Connor Morgan cut in from the left flank and bent an excellent 25-yard effort beyond Lock.

On 82 minutes, Harry Sheppeard made a crucial clearance off the line and, after Dunnett had been pushed forward to give the York frontline more presence, the ball broke to him through the right channel and he lifted an expert finish over the Gower keeper and into the goal from 15 yards.

In the first period of extra-time, Chigumira sprinted on to a long ball out of defence from Dunnett, but his shot was well smothered.

As penalties loomed, Morgan smacked the crossbar for Gower and, on 120 minutes, Chigumira struck the outside of a post after trying his luck from the right.

Moments later, Gower had the advantage of taking the first spot kick and scored, before Chigumira also netted for York.

A save down to his left by Lock came next, but Chimalilo could not take advantage when he skied over.

The next six takers were all successful, including Dunnett, Hullock and Hunter, but when a Gower player cleared the crossbar, Anderson kept his nerve to trigger ecstatic celebrations at the League One stadium.

Proud sports development centre co-ordinator Gaz Lee said afterwards: “The character from such a young team to swing the game back in our favour and secure victory by taking the final by the scruff of its neck was outstanding.

“It was also a great testimony to the coaches we work with in our partnership with the i2i Academy, because they have given these young men the experience of a lifetime and I think the programme will continue to go from strength to strength, so we can sustain this success we have worked so hard to achieve. I think this season is just the start and there are exciting times ahead.”