MAGNANIMOUS Worcester Raiders gaffer Karl Gormley admitted Sikh Hunters had been full value for their League Cup triumph – but still pondered what might have been.

Raiders lost 3-1 in the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Cup showpiece at Bilston in front of a boisterous bumper crowd.

AS IT HAPPENED: Sikh Hunters 3 Raiders 1

Gormley’s troops, without trusted generals such as Logan Stoddart, Alex Marsh and Kyle Belmonte, endured a tough first half despite having a strong wind at their backs.

Hunters had the better of the chances but Matt Andrews did have an effort cleared from the line following a long throw in the 13th minute.

Raiders trailed in first-half stoppage time the interval when Hinesh Patel’s header looped inside the far post after beautifully crafted approach play instigated by star performer Dan Jones who crossed from the left.

Luke Molloy whacked clear a goal-bound Jones effort two minutes after the restart but Hunters did not have to wait long for a second as Jones fired through a host of bodies from the left edge of the box with Ashley Smith claiming the final touch on a double deflection that fizzed inside the far post.

Keeper Lewis Pinches thwarted Ben Lawley at point-blank range and the tables threatened to turn when Sam Carey’s long throw was flicked on for the unmarked Martin Fowler to slam in at the far post in the 56th minute.

Josh Weatherby brushed the outside of the near post from close quarters before skipper Matt Tyler scuffed wide with a first-time sweep at another long throw that he perhaps did not expect to arrive over the heads of those in front of him.

From there the match petered out and Jones fittingly administered the coup de grace as the clock struck 90, following in Smith’s 25-yard drive that was parried by Pinches before being tucked into the top corner.

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“Hands up, they were the better side and deserved to win,” said Gormley.

“The first half was really disappointing, we played a bit better in the second but it was not to be and fair play to Sikh Hunters.

“We thought playing into the wind in the first half would give us that bit of an advantage but it actually went against us because we didn’t play any football.

“In the second half we regrouped a bit and with the wind against us we got it down and carried a much bigger threat but the game had gone by the time we started to really get into it.

“If the second one goes in it is a different game altogether but then again, they had a couple of other chances you might have expected them to score. On the day we could have no complaints.”

Raiders now must wait to find out whether they will awarded the points that will win them the league title.

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There is currently no record of the match Raiders led 3-1 in the second minute of added time at Bustleholme in March, which was brought to a premature halt when players and staff from both clubs became embroiled in a brawl that then involved members of the crowd.

Darlaston Town returned to the top by winning their final match of the season, 2-0 at backmarkers Telford Juniors, while Raiders contested the final.

“We just want everyone involved to get a move on so we know what’s happening,” said Gormley.

“I think it could be some time in the next week we find out. As I said before, though, there is not a lot we can do.”

The Raiders boss finished by expressing his gratitude to the vocal support that travelled.

“I want to say a big thank you to all of the supporters who came over, they were brilliant,” he added.

“They have been behind us for the whole season and the backing we had really topped off a good season, even if we couldn’t quite get over the line in this one for them.

“To have that kind of crowd and atmosphere at this level was excellent. Hats off to both sets of supporters.”

HOW THEY RATED

Hunters: Haynes 6, Archer 6, Ash Smith 7.5, Cowley 7, Lawley 7.5, Perry 6, Thomas 7 (Hewitt, 88, 6), Malhi 6.5, Nisbett 6.5 (Atkinson, 88, 6), Patel 7 (Brogan, 83, 6), JONES 8*.

Unused subs: Oldaker, Keough.

Raiders: Pinches 6, MOLLOY 6.5*, Carey 6.5, Waldron 6.5, Corbett 5.5, P Smith 5.5, Ant Smith 5 (Krol, 75, 5.5), Tyler 6, Weatherby 5.5, Andrews 5.5 (J Farnsworth, 88, 6), Fowler 6.5.

Unused subs: Goddard, C Farnsworth, Norcott.