Sports are County Champions

The Middlesex FA Cup Finals got underway on Wednesday evening at Grosvenor Vale, the excellent home of Wealdstone FC, with the Jeff Ritson Senior Youth Cup final between the under 18 sides of Wingate & Finchley and Bedfont Sports. Neither side had previously won this trophy.

Bedfont Sports were the worthy winners of a good competitive match. They dominated the first half but only led by a single goal at the interval. The second half was territorially more even but Bedfont Sports added a second goal before Wingate & Finchley scored with a penalty in added time at the end of the match.

The Wingate & Finchley starting line up was Calum Bukowski, Jordan Spearman, Leon Theophanous, Aaron Nutman (capt), Kian Savvides, Alex Williams, Luke Prokopiou, Ulysse Forde, Daniel Pugh, Nathan Lock and Alfie Costello.

Their substitutes were Joseph Logue (for Alfie Costello 55 minutes), Charlie Clements (for Kian Savvides 75 mins), Joe McAuliffe (for Daniel Pugh 82 mins), Aaron Smith and Francis Tango.

Manager: Andy Stacey Coaches: James Francis and Gary Forde Physio: Ana Adamson.

Bedfont Sports started with Tyler D’Cruz, Jake Brown, Scott Whitfield, Norman Bukowski, James Greenwood, Billy Moone, Will McKelvie, Joe Jackson (capt), Harry Sanders, Darryl Sanders and Antone Jarvis.

Their substitutes were Cally O’Reilly (for Will McKelvie 72 minutes), Mally Calliste-Thompson (for Darryl Sanders 75 mins), Harrison Livingston (for Harry Sanders 78 mins), Jack Edwards and Callum Fullman (gkpr).

Manager: Terry Reader Assistant Managers: Kevin Jackson and Simon Edwards Head Coach: Duncan McKelvie.

Referee: Noel Glavin Assistants: Mark Jacob and Callum Quick Fourth Official: Adam Hughes.

Bedfont exerted considerable early pressure and kept Wingate goalkeeper Calum Bukowski, who had been doubtful for this match because of injury, very busy. Bedfont’s best chance fell to Darryl Sanders who fired over from close range. Skipper Aaron Nutman, Jordan Spearman and Kian Savvides were outstanding in the Wingate defence during this period. Kian made a very timely interception on Harry Sanders who was through on goal.

Will McKelvie went just wide from 12 yards and an inswinging corner from Darryl Sanders was kept out by Jordan Spearman.

Bedfont’s first goal was scored in the 30th minute. Darryl Sanders’ through ball was fastened onto by Harry Sanders whose shot was deflected for a corner. Joe Jackson’s powerful header from the corner was directed at the top corner of the net but was acrobatically pushed over by keeper Calum Bukowski. The resultant further corner was headed home under pressure by Billy Moone, who was knocked out in the process.

A low drive by Darryl Sanders brought another good save from Calum just before the interval.

Half time score: Wingate & Finchley 0 Bedfont Sports 1

A great move involving Will McKelvie and Joe Jackson set up Antone Jarvis for Bedfont’s second goal in the 49th minute. Antone gleefully smashed the ball into the far corner of Wingate’s net.

Wingate hit back and Tyler D’Cruz punched Daniel Pugh’s dangerous cross of off Alex Williams’ head. Billy Moone threw himself to charge down a shot by Nathan Lock and Ulysse Forde just cleared the Bedfont bar from around 35 yards.

Proceedings became heated and referee Noel Glavin, who controlled the game admirably, broke up a fracas involving several players and cautioned one from each side, James Greenwood (Bedfont) and Daniel Pugh (Wingate).

Calum Bukowski saved at Antone Jarvis’s feet and then Kian Savvides was cautioned for a tackle on Antone.

Wingate reduced the arrears in the 3rd minute of time added after the 90 minutes. Luke Prokopiou converted the penalty awarded after Tyler D’Cruz had impeded a Wingate forward.

Final score: Wingate & Finchley 1 Bedfont Sports 2

The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Vice-President and Life President of the Youth Division, Graham Rigby, who presented the trophy and mementoes after the game, selected Bedfont Sports defender, Billy Moone, as Player of the Match.