The Middlesex FA Cup Final schedule will reach its conclusion on Sunday morning when the Veterans and Under 14s Cup finals take place at Hanwell Town and AFC Hayes respectively. Over the course of the season, over 700 teams have taken part in cup competitions, with over 550 games played and 3,500 goals scored. In this preview, we take a closer look at both of this weekend’s games. 

Match details - Veterans Cup 

Tansley Sunday FC v Middlesex Wanderers AFC

Date: Sunday 13th May 2018

Kick-Off: 11am

Venue: AFC Hayes 

Now in its 19th year, the Middlesex FA Veterans Cup Final sees holders Tansley Sunday take on Middlesex Wanderers AFC. Tansley, who last year played under the name Colney Heath vets, have conceded just two goals en-route to this season’s final and recorded some impressive victories in the early rounds. Their opponents, Middlesex Wanderers have claimed the Ryman League Veterans Cup three times in the last four seasons and boast several ex-professional players in their ranks including three who have been capped for their country. 

Wanderers Manager, Nick Ironton, is keen for the team to replicate their success in the Ryman League Cup in the Middlesex FA equivalent by winning the final:

It’s been a new experience coming over to the Middlesex County FA Veterans Cup and I’d like to say how high the standard is of the teams in the competition. There were a couple of games where we were very close to going out of the competition so we are glad to be here today. Many of the teams play regularly together in a league where we do not so they do have some advantage.

For the club, it is a way of keeping the team’s name in the spotlight after a tough decade where our grand tours around the world, helping shape football stopped. Getting to the final has further highlighted the team. Of course, we’d like to add to the Ryman Vets cup titles as well. The team was set up to make sure the club had a “playing team” back in 2008.

Entry prices for the final are as follows:
£6 Adult
£3 Concession

There will be a collection at the gate for our chosen charity, London Air Ambulance.

Match details - Under 14 Cup

Ashford Town (Middx) Juniors U14 Albion v Sandgate Youth U14 Arrows 

Date: Sunday 13th May 2018

Kick-Off: 11am

Venue: Hanwell Town FC

One of the biggest competitions in the County, 80 teams have become two as Ashford Town (Middx) and Sandgate Youth get set to do battle this Sunday morning. 

Both teams have enjoyed fantastic seasons in their respective leagues and their form has rolled over into this season’s Under 14 Cup campaign too. Both have scored 29 goals over the six rounds of the competition (the highest in the competition) though have experienced some tricky ties along the way. Sandgate Manager, Stuart Riglin, said: 

"I’m over the moon to have reached the Middlesex County Cup Final. It’s a fantastic achievement getting here but we need to go all the way and win it now. The highlight of our cup run would definitely be the semi-final v Parkfield. The score was 3-3 at fulltime and we went on to win 5-3 in extra time with ten men."

In the league, Ashford Town (Middx) currently sit third in the Surrey Youth League Premier Elite Division with two games to go whilst Sandgate Youth are going toe-to-toe with Parkfield Youth for the Harrow Youth League Premier Division title (both are locked on 41 points with two games to go). With both teams playing in different leagues, both managers’ will be prepared for the unexpected when the two meet on Sunday. Sandgate Manager Stuart Riglin commented: 

“We’ve never played against Ashford Town but we do know that they are up there with the best teams from the Surrey Youth Premier Elite League, which is a very high standard. Ashford also won the Middlesex County Cup last season beating Hanwell 6-0 in the final so we’ll need to be at our best to beat them.”

Ashford Town (Middx) – one to watch: 
George Sudderick - Record goalscorer George Sudderick has 163 goals from 100 appearances and the current top scorer for this season with 34 in all competitions. Away from football, George is the U15 national indoor and outdoor athletics champion for 300m.

Sandgate Youth FC – one to watch: 
Archie Chapman - First name on the team sheet. Our midfield maestro. Arch has high technical ability, his vision, creativity, and touch allow him to dictate the tempo but he also has a high work rate and gets stuck in when he needs to.

Entry prices for the final are as follows:
£5 Adult
£3 Concession
Free - Students 

There will be a collection at the gate for our chosen charity, London Air Ambulance.

For more information on this match or any of the other Middlesex FA finals, please see our Cups and Competitions page.