AFTER steaming through the early rounds, the trophy quest by local players involved in Civil Service football has hit the buffers.Jamie Sandilands (Stowmarket Town), Ian Watson (Grundisburgh), Kevin Holland (Debenham Leisure Centre) and Tom Allnutt (Stowupland Falcons) have been attempting to find national success.

By Elvin King

AFTER steaming through the early rounds, the trophy quest by local players involved in Civil Service football has hit the buffers.

Jamie Sandilands (Stowmarket Town), Ian Watson (Grundisburgh), Kevin Holland (Debenham Leisure Centre) and Tom Allnutt (Stowupland Falcons) have been attempting to find national success.

But their Revenue and Customs team lost in the semi-finals of the Lewis Cup to Ministry of Defence in Nottingham.

Sandilands equalised just before half-time, only for the Ministry of Defence to win the game midway through the second period.

“They were probably the worst team we have played,” said Sandilands. “We had plenty of possession, but did not create enough.”

Watson captained the side and keeper Holland did well in very windy conditions.

The Revenue and Customs Eastern Counties team, which is managed by Roger Hall vice chairman of Felixstowe United, lost their quarter-final to Northern Ireland.

Played at Ransomes sports ground, Ipswich and with Watson unavailable Eastern Counties lost a three-goal lead.

Sandilands (twice) and Allnutt, who ran through from the half-way line to score, gave them a comfortable interval lead.

Although down to ten men Northern Ireland scored five goals in the final 20 minutes, equalising in the 90th minute.

They took the lead in injury time only for Sandilands to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

With the clock still ticking down Northern Ireland scored again to win 5-4.

The intrepid four are involved in the area challenge cup with Suffolk Tax Offices playing Suffolk Customs in the semi-final at Ransomes next Thursday.