A keenly contested final saw Cannock run out 3-2 winners in the NOW! Pensions Masters O40s Trophy Final. Goals from from Henley's Paul Chedzey and Dan Herbert were not quite enough as James Roberts, Duncan Woods and Andy Humphrey scored for Cannock.

Cannock, boasting former England and Great Britain international Chris Mayer in their starting line-up, created chances from the outset. Cannock hit the cross bar in the first two minutes and Robin Feasey in the Henley goal was forced into a flurry of excellent saves. The early pressure led to a Cannock short corner. A good strike from Woods after a slick set-piece routine drew another fine save from Feasey.

Emerging shell-shocked from the opening five minute spell, Henley began to find space and create the odd chance. Jody Measures somehow found himself in a good shooting position and a well-struck shot was saved by Jon Chappell in the Cannock goal.

The game remained goalless, with both sides locked in a dogged midfield struggle, epitomised by the physical contest between Dom Day and Chris Mayer. The deadlock was nearly broken as Cannock's Rob Davies collected a Mayer aerial at the top of the D but his back-hand strike on the half-volley was again saved by Feasey reaching high to his left. Feasey's resistance was finally broken in the 30th minute. After another well-worked short-corner, James Roberts slid the ball underneath goalkeeper to take Cannock into the break 1-0.

Straight after the break, Henley caught Cannock napping, a quick break through Jody Measures and Julian Herbert putting Paul Chedzey through on goal, whose finish, with the faintest of touches, levelled the scores.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, another barrage of dangerous Woods' short corners for Cannock were repelled by the Henley defence. It was Woods who eventually put Cannock 2-1 up with a brilliant finish, diving to touch a long pass from Mayer into the roof of the Henley net in the 54th minute.

Uncowed and making the most of Cannock's palpable sense of relief at edging ahead, Henley responded well. Dan Herbert finished from the narrowest of angles after Terry Pollard earned short-corner to draw level at 2-2.

With time running out and penalty stroke line-ups being prepared, tempers started to fray. Three yellow card dismissals - two Henley and one Cannock - created space in the final five minutes and stretched the game. After their 14th short-corner gave Andy Humphrey the platform to score the winner in the 70th minute, Cannock used all their experience to run the clock down and deny Henley the possession needed to equalise.