The Champions of the Southern Amateur League (Nottsborough) met the Champions of the Amateur Football Combination (Old Meadonians), in a repeat of their clash four years ago, on the splendid turf of HSBC at Beckenham. An expectant and enthusiastic crowd were anticipating a really good game from two quality teams with Nottsborough hoping to record their first win and to avenge the defeat of 2004.
The pitch had been “trampled” by the fairy feet of the Women’s Cup Finalists in the morning but, it still played true and enabled the touch players of both sides to display their skills to the full. The styles were different with Nottsborough playing the ball around in comparison to Meadonians more direct approach. Early exchanges were even and a tight game was expected. Meadonians needed to be alert to the considerable skills of Alex Ewin and Nick Stavri who led the line well but, Ali McCombe was solid at the heart of the Meadonians defence. It was unfortunate that an accidental clash of heads led to Andrew Szwajkowski having to leave the field but, Craig Bonser stepped into the breach alongside the imposing Matt Rolfe, Captain of Nottsborough and eventual winner of the ”Man of the Match” award. Honours were even to the mid-point of the first half when a lapse in concentration by the Meadonians defence led to the opening goal which was popped in by NICK STAVRI. The Nottsborough midfield, well organised by Danny Marsland and Nathan Violet, continued to feed their front men but, halftime came with no further score.
With the advantage of wind and slope in the second half, Meadonians began to press forward and the speed of Leon smith and Peter Eguae became significant. However, even these found that the reliable Matt Rolfe and his fellow defenders stood firm. The Meadonians midfield of Hughes-Jones , Quinn, Eguae, Rhone and Glover worked hard to break down resistance but, as 90 minutes approached it looked as though Nottsborough would prevail. Colin Hawkins, back for Meadonians after a long injury lay off, was continually probing but, it was LEON SMITH who got the equaliser in the nick of time to send the game into extra time.
There were some noticeably weary legs evident during the extra period so, it was, perhaps, not surprising that it was ALEX EWIN who put Nottsborough into the driving seat again with a typical piece of wizardry. Game over? Not a bit of it! Meadonians do not know the meaning of giving up but, after Leon Smith had seen a splendid piece of individualism cleared off the line by Dave Howson even they might have been forgiven for thinking that it was not their day. But, yet again, with time running out, up popped PETER LOVELL to level the scores again and take the game into that most unloved situation of a penalty shoot out. Unloved, of course, except by the spectators.
I will, therefore, not dwell on the spot kicks converted or missed except to record that Meadonians scored 4 to Nottsborough’s 3.
The Match Officials more than played their part and our thanks to Chris Beament, Chris Allen, Duncan Elder and Len Wilcock for their control of the game.
It was a great pity that Jon Urwin of Nottsborough saw fit to direct some ill chosen words at Duncan Elder giving referee Chris Beament no choice but to dismiss him from the field. Who knows what the result might have been had his team been at full strength for the full 120 minutes!
Our thanks to our hosts, HSBC, for their hospitality both on and off the field.
A noteworthy postscript to the match was that Alex Ewin, on the following day, competed in the London Marathon and completed the course in 3 hours and 18 minutes; a truly remarkable achievement.
TEAMS
NOTTSBOROUGH
Matt Arnold, Greg Swindle, Dave Howson, Andrew Szwajkowski, Matt Rolfe (Captain), Nathan Violet, Danny Marsland, Matt Kerr, Chris Kerr, Alex Ewin, Nick Stavri.
Subs. Craig Bonser, Jonathan Urwin, Jimmy Elliott.
OLD MEADONIANS
Shannon Towne, Laurie Pointer (Captain), Ali McCombe, Dan Salanson, Ed Glover, Alex Hughes-Jones, Kevin Quinn, Peter Eguae, Dwayne Rhone, Colin Hawkins, Leon Smith.
Subs. Peter Lovell, Barry McGuinness, Liam Palmer.
Report by Malcolm Perks