WILLESBOROUGH TRIUMPH IN WEALD OF KENT SENIOR CUP FINAL
Match report by RC
A warm and sunny afternoon saw our largest crowd for a number of years. Pre match cheques were presented to representatives of our selected charities, The Air Ambulance and The Pilgrims Hospice.
Willesborough Athletic brushed aside the disappointment of last season’s Junior Cup Final performance to triumph against fellow NRG Gym Kent County League opponent’s Hawkinge Town 4-1 in the Competition’s Senior Section Cup Final at Homelands in Ashford on Good Friday
In a first half largely dominated by both defences scoring opportunities were few and far between. Willesborough Athletic had the best of possession for the first half an hour and could have scored as early as the first minute when Deon Bepe pulled a shot narrowly wide of the Hawkinge goal. After 12 minutes following a clash between players, a Hawkinge player was sent off but this did not appear to materially weaken the Hawks who looked increasingly dangerous as the half progressed although neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled and the teams went into the half time break 0-0.
In contrast to a largely uneventful first half, the match exploded into life in more ways than one in the first 15 minutes of the second half. After only 5 minutes Willesborough were awarded a penalty after a foul on Deon Bepe which was firmly converted by captain Ship Ahmetaj. Shortly after a second Hawkinge player was sent off for receiving a second yellow card and Willesborough then doubled their lead only minutes later when a high cross from the right ran loose to Deon Bepe on the left edge of the 6 yard box to fire home.
After 15 minutes Hawkinge were then reduced to 8 players when a third player was sent off for receiving a second caution and Willesborough took advantage of a confused and disjointed opponents defence to score a third and decisive goal when Ship Ahmetaj was given the freedom of the penalty area to fire a low shot past the keeper into the left hand corner of the net.
As a contest the match was virtually over following the events of the first 15 minutes of the second half. Hawkinge continued to try and make a game of it and briefly threatened after 20 minutes when they were awarded an indirect free kick two yards inside the opponents penalty area for a deliberate back pass but the resulting shot on goal was blocked and cleared. It was no surprise, however, when Willesborough scored a fourth goal after 25 minutes when Riley Alford controlled a low cross into the area just outside the 6 yard box and skilfully deceived the goalkeeper with a cheeky back heel into the net.
Hawkinge’s continuing efforts to compete with their depleted team were ultimately rewarded with an individual goal 5 minutes from time when captain Wes Blaskett-Foord evaded one defender’s challenge, swept passed another into the penalty area and slotted a low shot past keeper Danny Regan – unfortunately for Hawkinge it could only be a consolation goal and didn’t detract from Willesborough Athletics otherwise deserved victory.
Man of the Match was awarded to Willesborough’s central midfielder and captain Shqipron Ahmetaj , scorer of two of Willesborough Athletic’s goals.
Our thanks go to the four match officials who kindly donated their time.
(click pictures)
Match report by RC
A warm and sunny afternoon saw our largest crowd for a number of years. Pre match cheques were presented to representatives of our selected charities, The Air Ambulance and The Pilgrims Hospice.
Willesborough Athletic brushed aside the disappointment of last season’s Junior Cup Final performance to triumph against fellow NRG Gym Kent County League opponent’s Hawkinge Town 4-1 in the Competition’s Senior Section Cup Final at Homelands in Ashford on Good Friday
In a first half largely dominated by both defences scoring opportunities were few and far between. Willesborough Athletic had the best of possession for the first half an hour and could have scored as early as the first minute when Deon Bepe pulled a shot narrowly wide of the Hawkinge goal. After 12 minutes following a clash between players, a Hawkinge player was sent off but this did not appear to materially weaken the Hawks who looked increasingly dangerous as the half progressed although neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled and the teams went into the half time break 0-0.
In contrast to a largely uneventful first half, the match exploded into life in more ways than one in the first 15 minutes of the second half. After only 5 minutes Willesborough were awarded a penalty after a foul on Deon Bepe which was firmly converted by captain Ship Ahmetaj. Shortly after a second Hawkinge player was sent off for receiving a second yellow card and Willesborough then doubled their lead only minutes later when a high cross from the right ran loose to Deon Bepe on the left edge of the 6 yard box to fire home.
After 15 minutes Hawkinge were then reduced to 8 players when a third player was sent off for receiving a second caution and Willesborough took advantage of a confused and disjointed opponents defence to score a third and decisive goal when Ship Ahmetaj was given the freedom of the penalty area to fire a low shot past the keeper into the left hand corner of the net.
As a contest the match was virtually over following the events of the first 15 minutes of the second half. Hawkinge continued to try and make a game of it and briefly threatened after 20 minutes when they were awarded an indirect free kick two yards inside the opponents penalty area for a deliberate back pass but the resulting shot on goal was blocked and cleared. It was no surprise, however, when Willesborough scored a fourth goal after 25 minutes when Riley Alford controlled a low cross into the area just outside the 6 yard box and skilfully deceived the goalkeeper with a cheeky back heel into the net.
Hawkinge’s continuing efforts to compete with their depleted team were ultimately rewarded with an individual goal 5 minutes from time when captain Wes Blaskett-Foord evaded one defender’s challenge, swept passed another into the penalty area and slotted a low shot past keeper Danny Regan – unfortunately for Hawkinge it could only be a consolation goal and didn’t detract from Willesborough Athletics otherwise deserved victory.
Man of the Match was awarded to Willesborough’s central midfielder and captain Shqipron Ahmetaj , scorer of two of Willesborough Athletic’s goals.
Our thanks go to the four match officials who kindly donated their time.
(click pictures)
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