SEVERUS equalised four minutes from time and then scored three times in extra time to win the York FA Sunday Morning Senior Cup final.

Opponents Derwent had been ahead from the 15th minute but Severus pressure eventually paid off.

The game, played on Tockwith FC's award-winning ground, saw an early shot by Darren Sellars of Severus well saved by Lee Rushworth in the Derwent goal, before both sides hit the crossbar.

A cracking free-kick by Derwent's Sebastian Towse thumped against the Severus bar and then Andrew Moss headed against the Derwent bar with their goalkeeper well beaten.

Then on the quarter hour, a superb shot by Derwent's David Bradshaw was brilliantly pushed round the post by Severus 'keeper Neil Richardson. Nonetheless, from the resulting corner the ball fell to an unmarked Jamie Barker, who headed home to put Derwent 1-0 up.

Severus began to gain the initiative but a mixture of poor finishing and excellent defending denied them an equaliser, while just before half-time Richardson produced a top-class save to deny Neil Wilford adding to the scoreline for Derwent.

In the second half, Derwent were dangerous on the break but Severus continued to dominate with only woeful finishing denying them until, with only four minutes of normal time remaining, they drew level when a headed through ball found Mark Woodward, who put the ball past the advancing Derwent 'keeper.

Derwent thought they had won it in the dying seconds but the goal was disallowed for offside and Severus took command in the first extra period, going ahead through Nicholas Hutchinson following a cross from the right by David Watson.

Woodward missed a great chance to seal the game, but it didn't matter as six minutes into the second period of extra time, Michael Morton netted for Severus after good play again by Watson.

Derwent were visibly tired and Hutchinson added a further goal for a final scoreline of 4-1.

Severus deserved the victory, though the final scoreline did not do justice to a hardworking Derwent display.

The presentation of the York and County Press Cup was made by Dave Morrill, vice-president of the York FA.

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, May 02, 2006