Fred Ford Cup

By john smyth

Hollybush lift trophy

After being beaten for the league title and the Oxon Junior Shield by Hanborough, Hollybush extracted some revenge by defeating their rivals 2-0 in the final of the Fred Ford Cup.

In a game of few chances, both sides appeared to suffering the effects of a long season. A couple of key personnel were missing from both sides and others were clearly carrying knocks. Hollybush had plenty of possession, but possessed little goal threat in the opening quarter. Craig Mays had decent chance, but was unsure whether to pass or shoot and in the end a harmless effort drifted wide of Neil Rose goal. The first opportunity came from a Brad Bryant free kick, Carl Austin was unmarked, but he failed to properly connect with his head, the loose ball then fell to Alan Rogers, but he blasted it wide from the edge of the box.
They should though, have scored in stoppage time at the end of the half a great cross in from the left found an unmarked Mays on the edge of the 6 yard box. Unfortunately the ball bounced just before it reached him and his shot struck the top of the bar and flew over.

The second half started in a similar vein, ‘Bush with plenty of possession, but Hanborough looking comfortable at the back. At this stage it was clear that it would take a good goal to break the deadlock and so it proved. ‘Bush easily broke up an attack and the ball was moved from left to right.
Roger James stepped inside his marker and whipped over a fine cross with his left foot and Mays glanced a header into the far corner giving Rose no chance.

Hanborough made a couple of changes to try and get back in the game, but I don’t remember them having a single shot on target in the 90 minutes. In injury time they earned a corner and the whole team including keeper Rose piled into the box, the ball fell loose and Jacob Hughes was able to bring It away. He carried the ball half the length of the field before slipping it to James to walk into the unguarded net and seal the victory.

Where next?

Supplementary Cup Final Carterton Town B, clinch the double

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