Stunning strikes win Ernie George Trophy

As a contest The Ernie George Trophy Final was settled by half-time, but that was not the whole story. Global had a lot to prove, not only to themselves following league defeats to their opposition, but to their supporters and management after what has been a difficult season.

Fired up from the start Global kept Nova penned back deep inside their own territory and created a few openings down the middle of the park. As early as the 4th minute, the ball was fed though to Danny Hunt, who evaded attention 30 yards from goal and then unleashed a monster drive that scorched into the net beating keeper Paul Westerman for pace and direction.

The frenetic pace continued and Global exploited the space that their packed midfield had given them. Julian Francis, especially, had exploited the left flank to good effect. With the Global defence virtual spectators at this point, a second, superbly worked goal arrived courtesy of a stunning Garfield Daniel rocket. After burning the left side of Nova's fragile resistance he cut in to crash home a brilliant goal.

In the 30th minute, Nova were undone again when Francis got his reward for the hard work he had put in. Following up on a stinging shot that Westerman could only parry, he managed to nod home to effectively put one hand on the trophy.

However, to their credit, Nova came out for the second half to deny Global the space and opportunities they had enjoyed in the first period. It was Nova's most dominant period of the match and they carved out a few opportunities that, unfortunately, went begging. Leading from the back, Captain Darren O'Sullivan led his defence in thwarting the dangerous Global forwards. The midfield found some shape and they finally gave a better account of themselves, but Global had soaked up the pressure well and settled down to ease their ship over the finishing line.

At the end, the trophy was presented to Lee Hattam (Capt) by ESFC President Ron Garard, Vice-President Terry Grover and guest-of-the-evening Ivy George, whose family had donated the trophy in honour of husband and father Ernie, who had given so much to local football.