CONNOR Picken’s extra-time winner earned Gotham reserves the verdict 2-1 against Hayward Saturday League Division Two rivals New Milton Eagles in the MA Hart Hayward Cup final at Hurn Bridge.

Eagles came into the game with a number of players missing through injury, including their ace marksman Justin Keeler.

They managed to take an excellent Gotham side to extra time though, thanks mainly to a stand-out performance from goalkeeper Dale Wakefield, who was a popular choice for man of the match by BHFL president Mike Fowler.

Wakefield denied Gotham time and time again with a series of excellent saves and his opposite number Steve Cannings also looked assured when called upon to deal with headers from Lee Gilbert and Julian Smith in the early stages.

Most of the chances fell to Gotham though. Alex Hawey met Mark Jimmy’s cross with a diving header from close range which Wakefield dived at to keep out.

The Eagles keeper then parried away Hawey’s header from Kieron Goldrick’s cross in the 27th minute.

Hawey looked certain to score for Gotham as he pounced on the loose ball but his effort struck the post and rebounded into Wakefield’s arms.

The impressive Mark Claremont went on a brilliant solo run after 30 minutes and his cross from the left found Hawey but the frontman fired inches wide with Eagles defenders desperately trying to cover on the line.

Gotham keeper Cannings came a long way off his line in the 37th minute to challenge for a high ball. The stopper was stranded when the clearance went straight to Shaun Waterman 25 yards out – his blistering volley narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Picken was then twice denied by Wakefield and when he did manage to steer past the Eagles keeper on the hour mark, defender Lee Borley read the situation perfectly and chased back to clear the ball off the line.

The introduction of substitute Alex Rossi in the 72nd minute paid dividends for Gotham as the breakthrough came 10 minutes later.

Goldrick played in Claremont down the left. When the cross came over, Rossi was on hand to slot home from close range.

Eagles were not done yet however and they equalised three minutes later.

Shahed Miah delivered a corner to the far post and Shaun Miller met it with a header into the top corner to take the tie to extra time.

Rossi, Hawey and Claremont all had shots turned behind by Wakefield in the first period of extra time. Hawey then hit the post in the 108th minute and Rossi’s follow-up effort was saved by the Eagles stopper.

But the decisive goal came for Gotham a minute later when Rossi played a high ball into the Eagles penalty area.

With Sam Quinn going down injured trying to clear it, Picken was able to seal the crown with an overhead kick which gave Wakefield no chance.

Five minutes from time with Eagles committed to all-out attack, Gotham’s John Bailey broke away unopposed from inside his own half to run through.

He smashed a 20-yard effort against the Eagles crossbar.

Gotham reserves: Cannings, Malcolm (Niven, 100), Wilkins, Bailie, Riley, Jimmy (Rossi, 72), Louka (Charman, 80), Picken, Hawey, Claremont (Davitt, 110), Goldrick (Bailey, 60)

New Milton Eagles: Wakefield, Borley (Rixon, 65), Gilbert, Prior, Quinn (Miller, 109), Waterman, Miah (Parsons, 110), Vibert, Hurdle, Spooner, Smith (Miller, 65).