In the tournament Lowestoft Town grew with each group game and even though some of the sides put out their first team players, the blues team that was made up of reserve and youth team players made the final and retained the trophy.

The tournament was between five teams with the holders Lowestoft going up against Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Waveney and Diss. Every team played each other in twenty-five minute long matches with the top two sides at the end going through to the final.

Yarmouth 0 Lowestoft 1 (1st match)
Yarmouth were the better looking side offensively and deserved more from the game but set pieces can be crucial in games and Lowestoft executed a free-kick perfectly. A great delivery from Lee Parsons found Kyle Godbold ghosting in at the far post to score and give Lowestoft a 1-0 win in their opening match.

Lowestoft 1 Gorleston 0 (2nd match)
This was a high tempo match and even though Gorleston were edging it on chances, neither keeper were forced into action. It therefore came down to another dead ball situation from which Lowestoft got their winning goal. After getting an assist in the first game, Lee Parsons sent in a corner and with Fergal Lorenc unmarked at the far post, he headed home from close range for a 1-0 win. There had been four games played up to this point and the only goals that had been scored were by Lowestoft, who now just needed a point from their last two games to secure a place in the final.

Lowestoft 0 Waveney 0 (3rd match)
Up to this point Waveney had looked the strongest team in the tournament but Lowestoft really flourished in this game. It was a tight affair and even though Asa Swatman pulled off an excellent save with his legs, the Lowestoft defence were looking really good overall and kept it tight against a strong Waveney side. As the game went on Lowestoft looked the more likely to score with some good work in midfield and probably should have done when Devillian stole the ball off the defender. However, with the keepers save from Devillian going right into the path of Kyle Godbold, he was at full stretch and could only send the ball crashing into the foot of the post with the goal gaping.
This was a great performance by Lowestoft and their third clean sheet in as many games, as they secured their place in the final.

Diss 1 Lowestoft 0 (4th match)
Lowestoft had already qualified for the final, so the game didn't have anything hanging on it but the team wanted another clean sheet and wanted to keep their momentum going.
Unfortunately Lowestoft took their foot of the gas a little and with a well worked goal, Diss got in behind and with the ball going across the face of goal, it was finished with ease at the far post to breach the Lowestoft defence for the first time on the day. Lowestoft had a chance to steal a draw from the game with Lee Parsons provider yet again, sending Devillian away on goal but the keeper was quickly out to save at his feet. Lowestoft had been defeated in their final group game but were in the final and faced last year's opponents Waveney.

Lowestoft 0 Waveney 0 - Lowestoft win 5-4 on penalties (Final)
The final was an even affair with neither side finding a breakthrough or wanting to take too many risks. The game was full of offside decisions and a number of fouls as both sides competed and the only real chance of the match fell to Waveney with a ball over the top but the shot was screwed wide of the Lowestoft goal. Right at the death Lowestoft keeper Asa Swatman was alert to rush out and sweep up brilliantly, as Waveney looked to steal it late on but the final whistle sounded and with the match ending 0-0 the final was to be decided on penalties.
Both sides put their penalties away really well and with nobody missing and Lowestoft 5-4 ahead, the pressure was on Waveney to score and take the shoot-out into sudden death. Up stepped Waveney and with Asa Swatman making himself big on the goal line, the ball crashed against the bar and over the top, as Lowestoft celebrated and retained their Sailor Brown Trophy.

The Lowestoft management team of Colin Greengrass and Mike Peterss went into the day without any great expectations and mainly wanted to use the tournament to look at a number of new players. However, the team grew throughout the tournament and rightfully took their place in the final, holding their nerve and bringing back the trophy to the Crown Meadow for the second year in succession.

This was a fantastic effort by the players and management, and everyone at Lowestoft Town Football Club are proud of their efforts today in retaining the trophy. Lowestoft Town would also like to thank Gorleston and their chairman Alan Gordon for another excellent and well organised tournament.

Terry Bullen