THE DESTINATION OF THE MIDDLESEX SUNDAY INTERMEDIATE CUP IS DECIDED BY PENALTIES
The final of the Middlesex Sunday Intermediate Cup was played at Middlesex FA’s Rectory Park HQ on Sunday 20th June, between The Vine FC and Grenfell Athletic FC.
The Vine had reached the final by beating Richmond Saints RSFC (on penalties after a 1-1 away draw), Botwell (3-1 home), London Wednesday (3-2 away) and Whetstone Wanderers U23 (3-0 away). Grenfell Athletic had overcome AFC Hatch End (4-2 away), Sudbury Athletic (on penalties after a 1-1 away draw), Bedfont Sunday (5-1 home) and ProPanthers (1-0 home).
These teams produced a highly charged, explosive, midfield battle. The match was always interesting but there was very little flowing football and relatively little goalmouth action.
However, both goalkeepers looked solid when called into action, particularly when dealing with crosses and long balls into their respective areas.
Early on, The Vine keeper Joseph Sellick pushed away a free kick from Tayshan Hayden-Smith. Then, as the first half progressed, The Vine’s Jack Blackman drove wide and his team mate, Jake Brown headed over from close range.
Grenfell’s Fasal Kamara, worked his way into a shooting position twice in in quick succession but fired wide each time. Then Jake Brown headed wide from a corner.
Half time score: The Vine 0 Grenfell Athletic 0
Grenfell’s Joseph John headed over from a corner. Then Fasal Kamara set up Jacob Lord-Garnett, whose shot was intercepted.
The best move of the match came in the 78th minute. Tayshan Hayden-Smith worked the ball through The Vine defence and released Jacob Lord-Garnett, whose finishing shot was palmed away by keeper Joseph Sellick for a corner.
In the 85th minute Grenfell’s Kailume Backer was brought down outside the left edge of the penalty area. Tayshan Hayden-Smith took the free kick, which the keeper, Joseph Sellick punched clear. Another free kick from Tayshan was taken high up by Joseph, under considerable pressure.
Score after 90 minutes : The Vine 0 Grenfell Athletic 0
The first ten kicks of the penalty shoot-out failed to produce a winner. Grenfell Athletic went first and Jacob Lord-Garnett, Kailume Backer, Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Fasal Kamara and Mortada Said-Alsaedi were all successful. Aaron Freeman, Javier Mato, George Harmes, Jack Blackman (after a retake) and Daniel Taylor all scored for The Vine.
Leon Bedeau-Francis of Grenfell hit the cross bar with the first “sudden death” kick and Ben Peden converted his kick to win the match for The Vine.
Result of Penalty shoot-out: The Vine 6 Grenfell Athletic 5
Kwasi Frempong of Grenfell Athletic was chosen as Player of the Match.
Referee, Colin Wordsworth and his colleagues Fadi Mansour, Chris Devlin and Rohan Chotai controlled the match very well.
The all-ticket attendance was 149.
THE VINE FC
Joseph Sellick, Rico Luis, Ben Chadband, Marc Beltrami, Connor Odell, Javier Mato, Ben Peden, George Harmes, Jake Brown, Daniel Taylor and Jack Blackman.
Substitutes (rolling substitutes are used in this competition): Kinsey Hogg, Aaron Freeman, Sean Rodwell, Ross Lynch and Mitchell Wiseman.
Manager: James Cornish Assistant Managers: Josh Martin, Ciaran Olohan, Alex Batelle and Daniel Day.
GRENFELL ATHLETIC FC
Melvyn Akins, Kerry Clifford, Ryan Moloney, Dillon Reilly, Leon Bedeau-Francis, Kwasi Frempong, Jack Lovell, Fasal Kamara, Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Mortada Said-Alsaedi and Joseph John.
Substitutes: Aaron Pham, Imran Wahabi, George O’Brien, Jacob Lord-Garnett and Kailume Backer.
Manager: Rupert Taylor Assistant Manager: Freddie Morris Physio: Dave Kitson.
Our official photographer Chris Benn, as ever, has provided some fantastic imagery from the game. If using these photos please give credit.
Chris has selected 10 highlight images which can be found here.
Readers wishing to view the full gallery of images can find these here.