Trinity Vets beat Woking Vets 3-2 in an entertaining final at Meadowbank on the 22nd of April.

Trinity Vets would have the early run of the game and were gradually putting pressure on the Woking back line. Striker Nicky Forster looked dangerous from early on without having a clear-cut chance, but seemed to be the one who was able to damage the defence. 

Perhaps the best chance of the opening third of the game would fall to Trinity’s Sam Clayton, who had the opportunity to shoot after a mazy run which saw him pass a number of defenders. His strike would have the beating of the ‘keeper but would pass the wrong side of the post.

After a slow start, Woking Vets were slowly beginning to grow into the game yet without testing Trinity goalkeeper David Wilkinson. Their first shot on target would come in in the 30th minute, when Nic Ciardini found himself in a pocket of space. His shot would however go straight into the arms of Wilkinson.

Having looked vulnerable in the early minutes of the game, Woking were starting to play with some confidence and their attack looked more and more dangerous by the minute. They’d in fact find the go-ahead goal in the 37th minute through Asrick Samuels, who scored twice in the final the previous year. Although it could be deemed that that was against the run of play on the whole, the goal was deserved from their performance over the ten minutes prior.

Trinity looked to level the scores just before half-time and Sam Clayton had a good opportunity to equalise prior to the half time whistle. His shot did however lacked power and would go straight at the opposition keeper. 

Woking would go into the half one goal to the good, but it was very much anyone’s game.

Of the two, Woking would start the opening few minutes of the second half the brighter, forcing the Trinity keeper into several saves early on and it was clear that they wanted to add to their lead. However, they’d be pegged back in the 51st minute after Nicky Forster shot his side back into the game. With his initial two shots being saved and blocked, the striker would get a kind rebound to poke home and even up the scores at the third time of asking.

The scores wouldn’t be level for long and just three minutes later, Woking would go in front once again. A cross-turned-shot from defender Donovan Wilson would find its way off the back post into the back of the net in what was somewhat of a freak goal. Nonetheless, they all count, and Woking would once again be ahead.

Entering the final 20 minutes of the Veteran’s Cup Final it was still wide open. Trinity would find themselves the perfect opportunity to equalise in the 72nd minute when Chris Head was brought down by goalscorer Samuels in the box, with referee Michael Webb awarding a penalty. Up stepped Forster who placed his penalty in the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way in the process.

That goal shifted the momentum, with Trinity starting to build consistent attacks whilst enjoying the majority of the possession in the process. Forster would find himself the golden opportunity to notch his hattrick when through on goal in the 79th minute but he’d blast his effort just wide.

With only a handful of minutes remaining, it looked as if this would be the first final of the season to go to penalties but there’d be a late twist in the tale. A late ball over the top would force a mix up at the back for Woking in turn allowing Forster to walk the ball into an open net, getting his third of the game and the match ball in the process.

Woking almost sent the game to penalties after being awarded a corner with one of the final kicks of the game, sending every man forward in the process. Goalkeeper Craig Smith would in fact be the one to win the header, forcing David Wilkinson into a fine save in the process. That save would be enough to give Trinity the Veteran’s County Cup Trophy in what was an entertaining final.

Goals: (Trinity Vets) Forster (51,72,90) 

           (Woking Vets) Samuels (37) Wilson (54) 

POTM: Nicky Forster 

Attendance: 66 

Match Officials:  

Referee: Michael Webb 
Assistant Referee: Gareth Mays 
Assistant Referee: Keith Grove 
Fourth Official: Mark Osborne 

Trinity Vets: David Wilkinson, David Graves, Chris Head, Chris Boulter, David Cox, Alan Tait, Maurice Harkin, Nicky Forster, Sam Clayton, Callum McLean, Aaron Hasan, James Sinclair, Charlie Stagg, Paul Kembon, Bill Stagg, Tim Vaughan 

Woking Vets: Craig Smith, Asrick Samuels, Darren Goswell, Neil Roissetter, Bobby Hogg, Rob Wilson, David Risk, Mark Thomas, Nic Ciardini, Michael Tasker, Brad Read, Danny Byrne, Toni Perri, Paul Shorter, Ricky Hogsden, Donovan Wilson 

Images of the game can be viewed and purchased by following the link below.  

MATCH GALLERY