A LATE goal from Warren Taylor-Holt won the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup for Stowmarket Town at Portman Road last night. Taylor-Holt finished sweetly to give the Ridgeons League Division One side their first success in this competition since 1964/65.

By Elvin King

A LATE goal from Warren Taylor-Holt won the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup for Stowmarket Town at Portman Road last night.

Taylor-Holt finished sweetly to give the Ridgeons League Division One side their first success in this competition since 1964/65.

Their opponents, Metaltec SIL Senior Division leaders Grundisburgh, took the lead and for large periods of the first half looked as though they would achieve a victory that would keep them on course for a treble.

Apart from being favourites to win the title, they are also in the semi-finals of the Omnico Cup, but Stowmarket's stamina and familiarity with playing regular midweek football, paid off as they finished the stronger team.

However, extra time looked likely when Taylor-Holt struck.

Grundisburgh were looking to become the first SIL team to win this coveted trophy since they beat Needham Market seven years ago and when they took the lead after 12 minutes they looked as though they were capable of doing so.

Their speedy forwards were a handful for the Stowmarket defence and after Karl Sandilands had headed against the bar, a corner from the left was turned into the net from close range by Tom Parker.

Stowmarket were on the back foot, but they hit back after 22 minutes thanks to a mistake by Grundisburgh goalkeeper Louis Johnson.

He fumbled a free-kick from Taylor-Holt and central defender Chris Leys was on the spot to turn the loose ball over the line.

Tony Cracknell had a free header saved for Stowmarket before Lee Grimwood saw his cross-cum-shot bounce on to the far post before being cleared.

Stowmarket gradually enjoyed more possession, although there looked little likelihood of a goal until sloppy defending two minutes from the end enabled Taylor-Holt to cut inside, steady himself and drive a low deliberate shot to the keeper's right.

Andy Southgate volleyed a 20-yard dipping effort just wide in stoppage time, but Stowmarket held out to be presented on the pitch with the trophy in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Grundisburgh: Johnson, Greenhalgh, R Parker, Southgate, Watson, King, Reid (Webb 73), T Parker (D Grimwood 78), Beaumont (Driver 75), L Grimwood, Sandilands. Unused subs: Brightey, Messenger.

Stowmarket Town: Charters, Deasy, Brill, Roberts, Leys, Wright (Carr 73), Ward, Platt, Cracknell, Deller, Taylor-Holt. Unused subs: Hammond, Ford, Gray, Horner.

Referee: Mr D Stobbart

Attendance: 1,480