Rushen United’s ’Spanish Armada’ sailed into the Bowl last Wednesday evening and picked up silverware in the Ascot Hotel-sponsored Junior Cup final.

The southerners fired a double salvo in Douglas Royal’s broadside through Jamie Cadwallader and Jordan Watterson before the Whites hit back through Stuart Foley’s injury-time strike.

There was a party atmosphere: Rushen supporters - some wearing bandanas - waved Spanish flags with one fan banging a drum, while they chanted witty one-liners. Royal supporters brought some junior players as mascots who cheered their side on.

Sadly this final lacked in quality - it was a real end-of-season affair after a campaign that has been interrupted by two lockdowns before dragging into June.

In the first half, play was far too rushed with numerous misplaced passes as for large spells neither side were able to get into their passing game and there was a lack of composure in front of goal.

It was Royal’s inaugural final appearance within this competition, whereas by contrast it was Rushen’s 22nd which came with the heavy burden of history and expectation on their shoulders.

The southerners started the more promisingly and went close when Cadwallader flicked the ball past a defender but goalkeeper James Hudson Lowey rushed off his line and saved at the expense of a corner. From the resulting flag-kick, Cameron Dudley’s header was cleared off the line by Titus Craig.

On 13 minutes came Royal’s first opportunity when Dylan Wood’s free-kick found Aaron Fitzmaurice who sliced his effort over the crossbar.

Rushen continued to apply the pressure and went close again when Patrick Venus intercepted a goal-kick before curling his shot wide. Moments later, Cadwallader broke free again but twice he was thwarted by Hudson Lowey’s double save, before the same player drove another effort wide.

The last quarter of an hour of the first half was Royal’s best spell, with Craig and Simon Dooley firing efforts off target before Wood wriggled his way past the Rushen defence only for Spaniards keeper Strivens to pull off an impressive save.

On 45 minutes, it was Rushen who got the breakthrough with a touch of quality.

Cadwallader worked a one-two with Watterson before the former skipped past a defender and placed a shot into the bottom left to spark celebrations among the southern faithful.

The southerners could have strengthened their grip just before half-time when Joe Reid intercepted a pass but, with only the goalkeeper to beat and a big gap at the near post, he aimed for the far post and drove his effort wide.

Three minutes after the restart, Rushen grabbed their second when Cadwallader’s set-piece curled in at the far post towards Watterson who nodded home.

The play was stopped twice with Hudson Lowey going down with cramp before being replaced by Patrick Dempsey.

Royal then had a glorious opportunity to get on the scoresheet on 62 minutes when Andrew Asbridge raced into the penalty area before Strivens dived at his feet sending the Royal player flying and a penalty was awarded. But Foley’s spot-kick struck the post before the danger was cleared.

Royal were now inspired and went close again when Asbridge curled an effort wide. Rushen were then dealt a blow when Steve Harris was rendered hors de combat.

Time and time again the Royal attacks came as Rushen lost their shape - the southerners were bereft of leaders and slipped into complacency. Asbridge twice went close, first with a volley before minutes later his free-kick was denied by Strivens’ reflex save.

Rushen’s best chance came via Cadwallader’s free-kick which was repelled by Dempsey.

On 93 minutes, Royal found a breakthrough when Michael Quine crossed to Kevin Ballard who headed across goal and Foley’s flying kick found the net.

This set up a tense finale as Rushen Utd desperately hung on until the final whistle to secure the trophy for a record 18th time, finally bringing the curtain down on the 2020/21 season.

TEAM CHECK

Rushen United: Tom Strivens, Frankie Sansbury, Ste Harris, Glenn Buckley, Chris Shimmin, Cameron Dudley, Jamie Cadwallader, Charlie Jackson, Jordan Watterson, Patrick Venus, Joe Reid. Subs used: Andrew Blake, Josh Toher, Tom Collister. Subs not used: Andrew Moody, Luke Robinson

Douglas Royal: James Hudson Lowey, Titus Craig, Stuart Foley, Michael Quine, Andrew Asbridge, Dom Smith, Simon Dooley, Dylan Wood, Aaron Fitzmaurice, Kevin Ballard, James Clarke. Subs used: Josh Dunn, Patrick Dempsey, Lewie Roberts. Subs not used: Jamie Rawlings, Kyle Jones

Bookings: Ballard, Dooley, Fitzmaurice (Royal)

Referee: Stuart Morris

Assistants: Jack Maylin, Peter Cain

Fourth official: Mark Thomas

Match rating: 2*