Match Report by Jim Taylor, Middx County FA

One of our guests at Saturday's Final was Jim Taylor, Past President Middlesex County FA (pictured)and he has kindly supplied us with a match report from Saturday's game.

The Final of the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Cup was played at Windsor FC’s delightful Stag Meadow venue on Saturday last 11th May. A tight, hard fought match, between Sutton Common Rovers and CB Hounslow United, ended in a victory for the Rovers, with a single goal scored in the 87th minute.

Beaten finalists, CB Hounslow can nevertheless take a lot of satisfaction from this match. Sutton Common Rovers had finished the season in second place in the Premier Division, while CB had experienced a tough campaign, fighting a battle against relegation. Their safety was finally secured in the last minute of the final game. So, to take this cup final to the wire was a fantastic achievement. Indeed, in the circumstances, it was a splendid achievement to reach the final, especially as all of their four beaten opponents finished in the top half of the league table.

Both teams made a tentative start and neither goalkeeper was in serious action during the opening quarter of the match. The first scoring attempt came in the 23rd minute when Rovers’ front man, Daryl Cooper-Smith fastened onto a through ball but fired wide.

Rovers then exerted more pressure on the CB defence. Matt Tanton released Ollie Twum up the wing and keeper Kavanagh Keadell had to leave his penalty area to clear. Brendan Murphy-McVey made a good run, which ended with a close range save by Kavanagh. Then the keeper saved a low drive, from 25 yards, by Adam Allen.

In a rare CB attack, Jerome Edwards nodded a long corner from Luke Dunn back into the goalmouth but the ball was cleared.

Rovers had a good scoring chance in the 39th minute. Ollie Twum gained possession and set up Asa Rixon-Nicholls, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Thomas Kanek of CB, was cautioned for playfully bouncing the ball on Ollie Twum’s head during a stoppage.

Matt Farrell took over the Sutton Common Rovers’ captaincy, after the injured Aaron Bogle had to leave the field in the 43rd minute.

Half time score: Sutton Common Rovers 0 CB Hounslow United 0

Kavanagh Keadell was soon in action again, beating the dangerous Adam Allen to Malachi Robinson’s cross.

In a short spell of CB pressure, Luke Dunn’s low shot from Jerome Edwards’ long ball was blocked on the goal line and then Jerome’s angled free kick was just wide of the far post.

CB’s Trent Skapetis went down in the Rovers’ penalty area and was booked for simulation.

Gavin Bamford’s header from Trent’s centre was saved by the Rovers’ keeper.

A long free kick from Brendan Murphy-McVey was parried by CB keeper, Kavanagh Keadell, but Daryl Cooper-Smith was unable to control the rebound. Kavanagh followed this with a good close range save from Ollie Twum, who had connected with Daryl’s low cross.

Then Ollie Ellaway, in the Rovers goal was called into action twice. He saved Gavin Bamford’s headed attempt from Luke Dunn’s centre and then stopped Luke’s low shot, following good approach work by Dunnell King and Kai Hamilton.

Matt Farrell scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute, by netting a rebound after the CB keeper had saved a low shot.

Final Score: Sutton Common Rovers 1 CB Hounslow United 0

The skilful Sutton Common Rovers midfielder, Adam Allen was chosen as Man of the Match.

The attendance was 235.

SUTTON COMMON ROVERS
Ollie Ellaway, Malachi Robinson, Matt Tanton, Aaron Bogle (capt), Guy Baskerville, Asa Rixon-Nicholls, Ollie Twum, Matt Farrell, Daryl Cooper-Smith, Brendan Murphy-McVey and Adam Allen.

Substitutes: Kevant Serbony (for Aaron Bogle 43 min), Phil Page (for Asa Rixon-Nicholls 80). Jevontae Hilton, Charlie Alexiou and Craig Nelson were not used.

Managers: Darren Salmon and Donny Rennalls.
Coach: Bryan Nzinga.
Physios: Geoff Moxey and Brent Wallage.

CB HOUNSLOW UNITED
Kavanagh Keadell, Owen Hunte, Dunnell King, Thomas Kanek, Dennis Gorman, Barry McWilliams (capt), Kai Hamilton, Jerome Edwards, Gavin Bamford, Luke Dunn and Trent Skapetis.

Substitutes: Jordan Ireland (for Thomas Kanek 69 min), Lewis Wood (for Luke Dunn 90 min). Jordan Finnin Follia, James Greenwood and Rhys Forster were not used.

Manager: Barry Chapman.
Coaches: Pete Morris, Alfie Chapman, Marc Gorman and Danny James.

Referee: Andy Connor.
Assistant Referees: Michael Oakes and Ian Kitchen.
Fourth Official: Michael Hayden.
Jim Taylor