ONE of the best Craven Football League cup finals played for a long time saw Lothersdale claim a 6-3 victory over Waddington in the Devonshire Carpets Division One showpiece.

Both teams were well committed to attack from the kick-off and Lothersdale Athletic went close in the first minute when a shot from John Baker hit the woodwork.

Waddington, not to be outdone, defended well and looked dangerous on the break and took the lead from the penalty spot, Robert Lloyd converting.

This produced more attacking play from Lothersdale and after a couple of near misses a pin-point cross from Mark Watson saw a perfect diving header from young striker Liam Jeffreys to level the scores.

Lothersdale were stretching the Waddington defence, but somehow they held out and regained the lead again from the penalty spot, Lloyd again the scorer.

Waddington started the second-half with passion and penned the opposition back in their own half for the opening 10 minutes, but then the Lothersdale attack clicked and a flowing move out of defence saw a good cross from John Baker find the head of John Lawrence to level the scores.

This time there was no let up from Lothersdale and only the brilliance of the Waddington goal-keeper denied them further goals until after one superb save, the ball was deflected back from a defender to give Lothersdale the lead.

Lothersdale were now on top and playing one-touch football, with John Baker next on the score-sheet when he finished off a five-man move. This was followed by a second goal from Lawrence to put his side 5-2 in front.

Waddington, however, were not giving up and they attacked strongly again, going close before netting a third from a great shot from Adam Spencer.

Dale, not to be outdone, made the cup secure with one last attack which ended with Curtis Hall waltzing through a tired Waddington defence to bring a pulsating final to an end.

Man of the match award went to John Lawrence.