The Fowler Memorial Cup Final took place on Sunday 27th April between Premier Division Winners Wormingford Newtown and Colchester Stars of Division One.
Wormingford Newtown had the first of the game’s chances in the 3rd minute when Harry Willoughby latched on to a through ball however could only shoot straight at the ‘keeper, before Colchester Stars responded a minute later with Eugene Yeboah reading a bad touch from a defender to go through on goal, only for the ‘keeper to collect before he could get his shot away.
With both teams looking to take an early advantage in this game, only a minute later Lewis Blanchett had the next chance for Wormingford Newtown, however his shot from distance went over.
The game settled slightly after this, with the next chance not coming until the 8th minute when Wormingford Newtown broke, with Harry Willoughby putting in a delightful cross for Lewis Blanchett however his connection at the back post saw the ball go across goal with no one there to finish.
Colchester Stars once again responded quickly by creating a chance for Jacob Gyebi who could only shoot over. Stars were in the ascendency with Raymond Addison given a great chance when the ball was cut back to him but he could only shoot over, closely followed by a shot from Eugene Yeboah who saw his shot blocked before it could reach goal.
Both teams looked to gain possession after the early flurry of chances and the next shot came in the 20th minute for Colchester Stars when Amos Joseph took it upon himself to shoot from just inside the half, however the ‘keeper was able to watch the ball trickle wide of the post.
The next attack for Colchester Stars was one they made count, with Raymond Addison breaking the Wormingford Newtown offside trap to run through on goal, and with a touch to set himself, he was able to finish well past the ‘keeper.
Wormingford Newtown 0-1 Colchester Stars.
Straight from the re-start Colchester Stars regained possession with Raymond Addison again the player with the shooting opportunity, however he could only shoot wide, before having to withdraw with an injury.
The next real action was in the 30th minute when Emmanuel Kojo Boamah of Colchester Stars and Harry Willoughby of Wormingford Newtown were both shown a yellow card for a coming together after some strong challenges from both sides.
In the 35th minute, Wormingford Newtown managed to get a cross into Kieron Baker who was able to bring the ball down well, but could only shoot wide, before winning a free kick which found Harry Willoughby in the box who this time brought the ball down and was able to finish past the ‘keeper to equalise.
Wormingford Newtown 1-1 Colchester Stars.
Colchester Stars looked for an immediate response to being pegged back, with Jacob Gyebi taking on a shot which the ‘keeper was able to hold, before Wormingford Newtown tried their luck with Harry Willoughby and Kieron Baker both causing problems in the box, however an impromptu backheel was cleared off the line.
Just before the half time whistle was blown, Colchester Stars crossed a ball into the box, however as the ball was put into the net, the referee adjudged there had been a foul on the ‘keeper and awarded a free-kick which saw the half come to a close once it was taken.
Half Time: Wormingford Newtown 1-1 Colchester Stars
The second half started in the same manner as the first had ended with chances being created and in the 47th minute, Jacob Gyebi won the ball for Colchester Stars and ran the entire length of the Wormingford Newtown half only to be denied by the ‘keeper as he got his shot away.
Not to be deterred Colchester Stars won a free kick in a dangerous position from their next attack, which Abbas Najeeb stepped up to take and found the corner of the net leaving the ‘keeper unmoved to once again give Colchester Stars the lead.
Wormingford Newtown 1-2 Colchester Stars.
Wormingford Newtown looked for a quick response, however their over enthusiasm saw Jack Stoneman awarded a yellow card in the 50th minute for an attempt to win the ball back, before Abbas Najeeb was shown a yellow card for Colchester Stars minutes later for stopping another attack from building.
The game reached the 60th minute before the next chance presented itself and it came for Wormingford Newtown, with a ball into the box which Colchester Stars struggled to clear, but despite Wormingford Newtown having at least three chances, these were all blocked before the ball was cleared.
The next period of the game was played out with both teams having their share of possession and looking to create chances, alongside several fouls by each team for preventing attacks which made the game very stop-start in nature.
In the 77th minute Colchester Stars found themselves on the attack and after some neat play around the edge of the box, Abdul Hamid-Sittah found himself with a shooting opportunity just inside the box which he took and beat the ‘keeper to extend the lead.
Wormingford Newtown 1-3 Colchester Stars.
Try as they might, Wormingford Newtown could not create any clear-cut chances with their best attempt coming in the 83rd minute when Lewis Blanchett took on a shot from distance but could only shoot wide, before Colchester Stars regained possession and broke down the left hand side before delivering a ball into the box where Abdul Hamid-Sittah was once again there to finish, although this time from almost on the goal line.
Wormingford Newtown 1-4 Colchester Stars.
Colchester Stars knew the job was done this point and were able to see the game through to its conclusion to claim victory and see themselves crowned Fowler Memorial Cup Winners for the 2024-2025 season.
Full Time: Wormingford Newtown 1-4 Colchester Stars
Wormingford Newtown : #1 Sebastian Pickard, #2 Luke Rosenbloom, #16 Harry Yearling, #8 Craig Minter, #5 Wayne Blackman, #3 Jack Stoneman, #9 Kieron Baker, #14 Harry Willoughby, #15 Lewis Blanchett, #4 Nathaniel Powell, #6 Michael Sutton. Subs. 16 Terry Rymer, #17 Lee Baines
Colchester Stars : 99 Philip Yankson, #3 Ahmed Ash-Hadu, #6 Obiora Chukwudebelu, #8 Amos Joseph, #9 Eugene Yeboah, #11 Jacob Gyebi, #14 Raymond Addison, #26 Emmanuel Kojo Boamah, #5 Godswill Odili, #35 Abbas Najeeb, #37 Kofi Gyebi. Subs. 10 Salim Gedel, #17 Abdul Hamid Sittah, #34 Steeven Souciant, #2 Michael Nwankwo, #1 Bernard Nana Adu Gyebi.
Thank you to our Match Officials; referee Michael Tant and his assistants Matthew Hills & Fredrick Wynter and fourth official Lee Butcher.
The League was once again delighted to be joined by the Fowler family, who selected their man of the match as Jacob Gyebi of Colchester Stars, presenting to him and the officials, as well as the runners up and winners’ trophies.
The Colchester & District Sunday League would like to extend it thanks to Holland FC for hosting this final on behalf of the League.
Match report and photos courtesy of League Sec. Aaron Finch.
