Our Cup Finals continued this weekend as Wormingford Newtown and Old Saints United met to compete for The Fowler Memorial Cup at Dulwich Road, the home of Holland FC on what was a windy coastal morning in the first of two finals between these teams.
Both teams started the game looking for an early foothold and some early pressure from Old Saints United saw them with an appeal for a penalty as Karl Wilson looked to round the ‘keeper, however these appeals were waved away.
After this both teams had decent spells of possession and looked to create opportunities, however neither were able to create anything of note. Bruce Poole looked to chase down a ball forward for Old Saints United and was met by a challenge from Craig Minter which saw him receive the first yellow card of the game and this was closely followed by a well-built attack from Wormingford Newtown which saw a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Dan Keeble in the Old Saints United defence prevent them from getting their shot away.
This would prove vital as minutes later Old Saints United were able to play the ball forward for the dangerous Bruce Poole to chase, and he was able to finish calmly 1-on-1 to give Old Saints United the lead.
Wormingford Newtown looked to respond and ten minutes later were able to find a breakthrough as a well-placed delivery from Wayne Blackman saw Kieron Baker beat his man to the header to score for Wormingford Newtown and level things going into the half time break.
Half Time: Wormingford Newtown 1-1 Old Saints United
The second half started with both teams continuing to create chances however it wasn’t until ten minutes into the second half there was any action of note, as Old Saints United committed a foul in their area to give Wormingford Newtown a penalty.
Rocha Fosker who had only joined the action from the bench minutes earlier stepped up and calmy finished to give Wormingford Newtown the lead.
Some over-enthusiasm from Old Saints United to get back in the game saw Ryan Munson the next to see yellow for a challenge on the halfway line but this not deter his side, with them causing some confusion between the Wormingford Newtown defence and ‘keeper seeing the ball break free.
Dan Keeble followed in to tap home and equalise for Old Saints United.
With the game evenly poised it again became a tight affair with both teams looking to find a breakthrough again, and it was Wormingford Newtown who were able to do so, as a corner delivered into the box dropped at the feet of Rocha Fosker who was able to slam the ball home and give Wormingford Newtown the lead once again.
As had happened after they last conceded, Old Saints United once again looked to get back in the game and in doing so committed another foul which saw Adam Clark shown a yellow card.
Wormingford Newtown sensed the opportunity to extend their advantage against some tired legs and as the game entered the last five minutes, saw Dominic Ryan get his shot away to beat the Old Saints United ‘keeper and make it four which was minutes later extended to five, as Dominic Ryan again scored with a finish from just inside the area to put the game to bed.
The game had been a well contested affair, and the final scoreline was not reflective of how close the game actually was, but the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the contest.
Full Time: Wormingford Newtown 5-2 Old Saints United
Thank you to our Match Officials; Referee: John Watson, Assistant Referees: Simon Lewis & Simon Bowey, Fourth Official: Roger Bowman
The League was delighted to be joined by members of the Fowler family, with Lucy and Erin selecting their man of the match as Kieron Baker of Wormingford Newtown and assisting with the presentation of the medals and trophies to runners up Old Saints United and winners Wormingford Newtown.
The League extends its thanks to Holland FC for hosting this final on its behalf.
Assistant Referees : Simon Lewis and Simon Bowey
Fourth Official : Roger Bowman
