Fred Ford Cup

By john smyth

Hanborough clinched the Fred Ford Cup in dramatic style

In front of a large and noisy crowd, Hanborough lifted the first cup of the season beating Kirtlington 4-3 in dramatic fashion.

Kirtlington, playing in their first ever final, started brightly gaining a couple of corners and seeing a couple of goal bound efforts blocked. But slightly against the run of play, Hanborough took the lead, Jack Morton robbed a defender 25 yards out and advance to the edge of the area before firing past Andy Hambridge in the Kirtlington goal. 5 minutes later and it was 2-0 and it was the divisions top scorer Morton once again heading home at the near post from Arran Hobley’s corner. At this stage it was pretty much one way traffic and Morton should have had a hat trick, he twisted clear in the box, but shot over when probably easier to score.
Someone against the run of play, Kirtlington pulled a goal back from a corner, the ball ricocheted about in the box and Nathan Kelly hooked the ball home from close range. The one goal advantage was soon doubled however and it was that man Morton again, completing his hat-trick. But in a breathless end to the half, Kirtlington added a second, Kelly’s free kick was spilled by Neil Rose and Jake East was first to react to bang in the rebound.

The second half started at a more sedate pace, with neither side able to gain the initiative. Kirtington thought they had equalized when Kaylum Patterson shot home, but his effort was rightly disallowed for offside. Then Kelly had a good chance but he fired over with Rose beaten. Rose was then smartly off his line to block East’s close range shot. Then with 20 minutes to go, referee Dave Stanley awarded Kirtlington a penalty following a trip in the box. Kelly kept his nerve and rolled the ball into the corner, to level things up.
As the game ticked towards extra time both sides were pushing for the win and it was Hanborough who struck in the final minute. A long ball over the top of the tiring Kirtlington defence saw Joey Burgess race through and he lashed the ball home from 15 yards to spark wild celebrations from players and spectators alike.

A great advert for WDFA football- both sides and the officials contributed towards a highly entertaining night.

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