Fine Frenches Athletic Defensive Display Helps Them To Saturday Intermediate Cup Final. 

There would be a slow start to the Saturday Intermediate County Cup Final with early nerves certainly present. As a result, neither side were really able to stamp their authority on the game early on.

Perhaps the best chance of the opening 15 minutes would fall to Chike Ejezie who found himself through on goal after a dangerous ball over the top of the Frenches defence. His effort was met by a great save from Casey Bow who dealt with the situation exceptionally well to parry away the danger. 

The game flattened out a fair bit midway through the first-half and it was obvious that neither side were wanting to make a mistake. Chances were very much at a premium and bar the odd shot straight into the arms of Bow, neither ‘keeper had too much to do. 

Of the two, it was Walcountians who looked the more dangerous in front of goal, and Dell would once again be called upon this time to prevent Matt Auletta, this time getting down well to his left to turn the ball around the post. 

It looked as if the two sides would be going into the half time break all square, that was however not the case when Brad Johnson capitalised on a slight miscommunication in the Walcountians defence in the 40th minute and would tuck away Frenches first shot on target of the game. He fired his shot hard and low, giving Jake Farthing little chance of saving. 

Going into the break, Frenches would be one goal to the good and it could be argued that was the against the run of play. Nonetheless, they’d taken their chance and were ahead. 

Searching for a way back into the game, it would be Walcountians who would start the faster of the two looking to find a way back into the game.  

Their next chance would come after a mix up in Frenches defence, in turn allowing Kyron Rose-Green through on goal in the 50th minute, he’d shoot from a tight angle and this time would have the beating of Bow, but it’d narrowly go past the post. 

Walcountians were enjoying the lion’s share of the possession yet could not break down the strong Frenches defence. To Frenches credit, they were lethal in attack and looked dangerous when they did have a chance. In the 69th minute, they’d add a second to the tally after both goalkeeper and defender went for the ball and neither coming out with it. That would allow Cecil Thomas to pounce on the opportunity and now looked in total control. 

It was desperation mode for Walcountians entering the final ten minutes and they’d have a golden opportunity to pull one back.  Tom Yorston found himself in the box with space for a free header, but didn’t quite catch it right, and it would go straight into the hands of Bow. 

Perhaps their best chance to pull one back would come in the 86th minute when George Bonds, who beat a couple of men had the opportunity to shoot. This time it would beat Bow in goal, but also the post, going inches wide. 

It wasn’t to be Walcountians day infront of goal and that was fully down to Frenches formidable defence as well as a fine goalkeeping performance from Bow. They’d keep a clean sheet on the way to lifting the Saturday Intermediate Cup Final. 

Goals: (Frenches Athletic) Johnson (40) Thomas (69) 

POTM: Casey Bow 

Attendance: 470 

Match Officials 

Referee: Shawn Barclay 
Assistant Referee: Matt Funnell 
Assistant Referee: Craig Griffiths 
Fourth Official: Nigel Owen 

Frenches Athletic: Casey Bow, Brad Dell, Liam Powell, Khyran Coulthurst, Elliot Wheeler, Mike Georgiadis, Adam Hilton, James Francis, Liam Aspinwall, Brad Johnson, Ashley Martin, Junior Ogwal, Rocky Bugden, Cecil Thomas, Rhys Tucker, Freddie Myers, Dale Burgess, Daniel Silva 

Old Walcountians: Jack Farthing, Kyron Rose-Green, Aidan Hawkins, Albert Davis, Liam King, Steve Scola, Bailey Burgan, George Bond, Ryan McMorrow, Robele Nalbo, Jack Allen, Chike Ejezie, Ilyas Boolaky, Tyreece Lewis, George Harrington, Sam Grosser, Matt Auletta, Tom Yorston 

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

MATCH GALLERY