Joe Lennon Memorial Cup final:

 

Hakin United 7 Herbrandston 0

 
Hakin United’s name will remain on the Joe Lennon Cup for at least another year after the hosts simply proved too strong for Division two team Herbrandston on Friday night.
 
It was the 11th time the tournament to honour the man who did so much for The Vikings has been held, with Hakin winning on the past 10 occasions after Milford United triumphed in the inaugural final.
 
But still, the high regard in which Lennon was held was evident with a big crowd at The Obs for both semi-finals and then the final, with the evening kick-offs still subjected to sweltering conditions.
 

Hakin and Herbie cruise into final

 
The tournament kicked off last Monday with Hakin taking on Milford United, who dug in for 44 minutes before pressure finally told as Leon Luby blasted the opener high into the net.
 
That broke the resistance of The Robins, with Justin Harding, Jack Britton, Shane Walsh, Hayden Dimond and Laurie Haworth adding further goals as the game finished 6-0.
 
And it was equally one-sided two days later as Herbie defied their second tier status to see off St Ishmaels by the same score line.
 
Craig Nicholson got the ball rolling with an early left foot volley, and the returning midfielder struck again as did Daniel Armstrong, Callum Stannett, Jonty Bennett and Dan Evans.
 

Visitors pay the penalty as holders hit seven

 
It was the favourites who took control within the first half hour of the final, as Leon Luby’s cross was headed in by Ashley Bevan before Justin Harding doubled the lead with a neat finish.
 
Herbie were thrown a lifeline when Jay Power pulled down Callum Stannett in the area, only for the forward to then see his penalty pushed around the post by Hakin keeper Sam Franklin.
 
And before the break it was 3-0 as Harding struck again, leaving Stuart MacDonald’s men with a mountain to climb.
 
Hakin kept pushing after the break and an Adrian Rees own goal, followed by a strike from sub Shane Walsh, cemented their dominance.
 
A Britton penalty added the sixth before Walsh rounded off matters in style, bringing down a cross first time before turning and firing into the far corner.
 
Afterwards Joff Lennon, Joe’s son, thanked tournament organisers and sponsors and referee Marty Jones, who took charge of all three contests. He also presented the silverware to home skipper Bevan, whilst it was Luby who deservedly took the man of the match award.
 
“The games were better than any kind of pre-season friendly, because they’re not friendlies when there’s local rivalry - and the fact there’s a cup on the line makes it more intense,” said Hakin manager Scott Davies afterwards.
 
“It’s definitely good preparation.”
 
Tournament organiser Johnny Lewis said the turnout for all three matches was testament to Lennon’s legacy at Hakin: “It’s brilliant,” he said.
 
“Everyone you speak to, Hakin players, certainly all the lads around the 40 mark, Joe was their coach. And he’s a big part of the reason why we’re watching games like we just have tonight. 
 
“It’s fitting tribute to him that so many have turned up to the watch. And just the build-up to the game and the comments on social media have been fantastic. What a great guy.”
 
Lewis also confirmed the club were looking at expanding the tournament to include more teams in 2023.