Being the underdog does have its advantages, and Corby Eagles are living proof of that, as they triumphed in the final of the Division Three League Cup, defeating rivals Corby Locomotives 3-1.

Having lost their previous two encounters with their Final opponents, the odds were very much in favour of the Locos, who came into the game as the form side. However, a bright start by the Eagles, demonstrating the type of play that led to them to knock out the holders in the semi-final soon earned its reward.

Just six minutes were on the clock when Dave Burton broke the deadlock for the Eagles. Burton collected the ball on the left wing and lobbed Locos keeper Chris Grier who was hopelessly out of position.

Locos immediately pressed their opponents back but could fashion a clear cut opening until the quarter hour, when Lee Sinclair’s neat cutback allowed David Clark in but his shot was weak and easily collected. Locos were punished shortly after when Jamie Kearns threaded a ball through the defensive line. Shaun Mitchell ran onto it and neatly slipped the ball home inside the far post.

Locos were guilty of wasting several more chances to reduce the deficit before half time, firing wide or straight at Johnathan Crawford in the Eagles goal, and were lucky not to be 3-0 at the break when Mitchell fired wide after another breakaway attack from a defensive mistake.

Within three minutes of the restart Locos did halve the arrears when they were awarded a penalty. Alan Campbell stepped up and slammed the ball home. That was as good as it got for the Locos however as within ten minutes the Eagles restored their two –goal advantage. Colin Hutchison poked the ball home after a mad scramble in the penalty area. Indeed fortune seemed to smile on Eagles in the dying stages as first keeper Crawford did well to turn a flashing drive over the bar, before Kevin Watson escaped with just a caution after hauling down Campbell when he was clean through on goal. That moment proved the last goal area action of the tie, as the Eagles closed out their opponents to lift the prize.

Locos attention now switches to the league and hopes of snatching the title from the grasp of leaders Saxons, while their opponents celebrate their third trophy in their brief history.