EXPRESS travelled to Cutnall Green last Thursday and arrived just in time for kick off, which showed in their slow start.

CUTNALL GREEN 2, EXPRESS 5

Despite being 1-0 up at half time through Mark Shepherd, they wasted a whole host of opportunities in front of goal which should have seen the game over in the first period. Only heroic goalkeeping by Phil Smalley kept them in the hunt.

After the restart Express were 2-1 down before they really switched on and a hat-trick for the prolific Jamie Roberts with another for Shepherd eventually saw them run out comfortable winners of a competitive, well mannered and enjoyable game.

OAK APPLE 2, EXPRESS 4

Match abandoned)

EXPRESS finished their league campaign with a deserved victory which was actually won by more than the scoreline suggests in a game overshadowed by other incidents.

Express knew they needed a win to secure runners up spot and a win plus Blackpole losing to sneak the league title at the death. With retiring manager Phil Smalley putting out the last league side of his stint in charge the emphasis was on attack.

All started well with Jamie Roberts scoring two in the opening ten minutes to put the visitors on their way before the home side decided to turn matters into a more physical confrontation.

Twice Oak Apple pulled a goal back but each time Express returned the compliment to keep their lead at a canter, Mark Shepherd and Scott Mason adding to their tally.

Mason, Jason Jones and Sean Clarke all missed glorious chances to further their dominance before Stu Summers was fouled in his own box by an Oak Apple striker, who was then dismissed for his second bookable offence.

However, he refused to leave the field of play and the referee had no choice but to abandon the game with ten minutes remaining.

Assuming the result stands, Express can proudly boast runners up of Division Two after Blackpole won their game to take the title.