North Village Rams came from behind on four different occasions to equalize the game during regulation and extra time against Devonshire Cougars in the Dudley Eve Cup final, however they took the lead in the penalty shoot out and never relinquished, earning them their (8th) Dudley Eve Cup title in the (31st) year of the competition, defeating Devonshire Cougars (4-1) on penalty kicks, at Wellington Oval.
Cougars have no one but to blame themselves after dominating the first-half of play, squandering a number of golden opportunities only to find the back of the net once, thanks to an unmarked Tumani Steede, heading home a cross from the right side, from the roaming Domicco Coddington during the 42nd minute of play.
In the second-half of play, Rams played better and kept within their game plan. After working so hard, you knew they were going to score a goal. With only 5 minutes left in regular time, veteran forward Sammy DeGraff found the answer, as he leveled the score (1-1). Credit must be given to Keishen Bean, after he fought off his defender then made a perfect cross in the middle to find DeGraff. With only a few minutes remaining in regular time, Coddington continued to show his fine pace, hard work and determination, he gave Cougars a (2-1) lead. From this point forward the only people thought Rams had a chance were their players on the field of play, their bench and coaching staff. Not even die hard Rams supporters had faith in their team coming from behind with only a few minutes remaining in the game.
Rams answered again, when Jason Lee rose above the Cougars defense to find the back of the net, to send the game into extra time at (2-2).
Once again, Cougars took the lead in the first-half of extra-time when Domicco Coddington made another right wing cross, only to be deflected off the legs of a Rams defender in the six-yard box beating Rams goalkeeper, Jason Williams. With the blink of an eye, Rams leveled the score for the third time. Keishen Bean made no mistake from close range. Meanwhile, Lejuan Simmons provided another lead for Cougars, the fourth to be correct; Simmons calmly side footed a right-footed shot that left Jason Williams no chance for a save. Just when everyone thought Cougars would lift the Cup; Rams struck again to level the score at (4-4), through Thomas Watson. The mid-fielder followed up on ball just inside the 18-yard box, and hammered it home for the Rams, sending the game into penalty kicks.
Rams were first up, and it was Sammy DeGraff. He made no mistake, as he converted from the spot. Moses Steede followed up for Cougars, and he too found the back of the net. Jason Lee scored earlier in the match, and therefore he added another goal to his outstanding day, giving the Rams the lead. Chris Caisey was the first of two players from Cougars to miss when his right-footed shot struck the leg post. Veteran central defender Kofi Dill made no mistake, giving Rams a (3-1) lead. Korvon Tucker of Cougars followed his teammates performance, as he too missed his shot, after Jason Williams made a save. Kiwon Dill of the Rams sealed the victory when he calmly converted from the spot, giving North Village Rams a (4-1) victory in the penalty shoot out.
Final result: NVCC Rams (4) vs. Devonshire Cougars (4) after extra time. Rams (4) penalty kicks, Cougars (1) penalty kicks.
