Southern Counties Cup Finals
Semi Final – Wolverhampton 3-1 St Albans (Fabio, Ethan Andre)
Final – Wolverhampton 2-0 Gloucester (Ethan, Fabio)
Team: Joe, Kyle, Fabio, Aaron, Andre, Elliot, Ethan, Beau, Prem, Max, Jack, Billy, Rohi
Goalscorers: Fabio, Ethan and Andre
Wolverhampton 3-1 St Albans
Our excitement of being included in the Southern Counties Cup for the very first time culminated in a fantastic day at Oxford City FC. We were drawn to play St Albans in the semi final and this proved to be a tough game, just like our previous encounter earlier in the season. We started very much on the front foot and went in front very early on when a ball played in front of the St Albans defence fell to Fabio. He unleashed an unstoppable volley into the corner of the goal. 1-0. We attacked the St Albans goal with no let up and we doubled our lead when the excellent Ethan was tripped in the box after one of his trademark tricks. He picked himself up and dispatched the penalty to make it 2-0 at half time.
Again, in the second half we controlled the game remarkably well. We scored our third when some great work from Elliot left Andre unmarked in the box and he poked a shot which their ‘keeper couldn’t quite keep out. Knowing the game was probably won, we rotated the team to keep everyone fresh and a mix up with new positions and a long ball forward left the very good St Albans striker unmarked and he rounded Joe to make it 3-1. A very strong performance and the boys did exactly what was asked of them.
Wolverhampton 2-0 Gloucester
In the final, we faced a very familiar foe in Gloucester, having won a hard-fought battle at Longlevens in the National Cup third round. We knew they would be a tough side to break down and that we would have to be aware of the pace they had in the forward areas. We dominated the opening exchanges, playing some sublime passing football. Aaron mopping up everything at the back, our passing to wide areas was slick and fast. This meant our attacks could start quickly and we went one-nil up from this very tactic. The ball quickly found its way to Elliot who played it inside to Ethan. A quite magnificent drag back outwitted the Gloucester defender and Ethan found half a yard of space to curl a shot beautifully into the bottom corner. A stunning goal. 1-0.
Gloucester got back into the game in the second half using the long ball. This left us 1v1 too many times and they very nearly scored twice in quick succession. First, the ball was played over the top which left Kyle 1v1 against their pacey striker. The Gloucester man beat Kyle and as he was about to shoot, Kyle flung himself at the ball and blocked what was a certain goal with his toe. Absolutely amazing commitment to the cause. The crowd’s cheer was as loud as the goals we scored. Soon after, Gloucester found space in the box and shot to the bottom corner. Joe pulled off an inspired save to tip it round the post with a strong hand. Amazing defending.
This knocked the wind out of Gloucester’s sails a little, and as they committed players forward for the equaliser, we found ourselves with a 4v3 in our favour in attack, the ball was rolled across the box to Fabio, arriving from the left back position. He took one touch and smashed it into the goal to win us the game and the trophy. 2-0.
There is nothing that can be said about these boys that doesn’t end with many superlatives. Most of all, they are the nicest bunch you will ever wish to meet. And, proud doesn’t quite describe it.
