Bracknell Town & District Sunday Football League
Match Report for Junior Cup Final – 09/05/08

FC Fernhill v Finchampstead Athletic Sunday Res
at Bracknell Town FC, kick off 7:45.

Teams :-
FC Fernhill…
Manager – Jeff Lawrence.
Starting eleven – Steve Hobden, Lee Hazlewood, Matt Lindstrom, Sam Whiting (Capt), Jamie Osborn, Rob Musson, Craig Masey, Richard Corbishley, Leon Ingram, Stephen Tranter, Rob Wilcox.
Subs – Jamie Ludbrook, Dan Willis, Carl Barrie, Richard Evodka.
Special Mention to Adam Emptage whom dislocated his shoulder in the previous match to the final.

Finchampstead Athletic Sunday Reserves...
Manager – Cliff Barnard.
Starting eleven – Dave Rackley, Sam Green, Sam Dunn, Sam Delander, Adam Barnard, Matt Wright, Luke Axton-Hall (Capt), Harry Swabey, Greg Alexander, Scott Jenner, Joel Havermans.
Subs – Lee Brown, Chris Mitchell, Chris Piper, Zac Clay, Steve Mauger.
Special Mentions to Dave Randall and Greg Smith whom didn’t make the squad this evening.

Officials :-
Referee – Matthew Roper.
Assistant Referees – Mike Heslehurst & Phillip Tubb.
4th Official – Robert Fenton.

1st Half :-

Having won the toss, FC Fernhill elected to kick off in the start of this cup final. After trading a few early blows in the frantic first few minutes Richard Corbishley headed back towards Steve Hobden for FC Fernhill, only for Finch player Joel Havermans to latch onto the attempt and have a one on one with Hobden. Fortunately for Fernhill, Hobden managed to reach the ball just ahead of the onrushing player to clear the danger. Up the other end of the park Jamie Osborn attempted a volley from 18 yards which flew just wide of the Finch upright for a goal kick. Finch were awarded a free kick on 7 mins which was 30 yards from goal. Sam Delander stepped up for the kick and lofted the ball over the wall into the box, the ball was unchallenged and bounced in front of the Fernhill keeper, but lifted up into the back of the right hand side of the net for a 1-0 lead for Finch. With momentum now gaining for both sides, Adam Barnard attempted to head back to keeper Dave Rackley, only for Rob Musson to intercept and lob the onrushing keeper for the ball to go wide of the post. Dan Willis of Fernhill comes on to replace an injured player. On 15 mins, Greg Alexander crossed the ball into the box to Matt Wright but again the chance ends up wide of the post. Fernhill increase the pressure on Finch, leading to an attempt on goal from 18 yards by Sam Whiting, but the ball sails across the keeper and just to the left side of the post. On 30 mins, Finch attack via a through ball from Joel Havermans to Harry Swabey leading to a chip over the keeper and into the net, only for the assistant referee to rule the goal offside. 5 mins later and almost a carbon copy attempt lead to Swabey scoring again, but again was ruled offside for it to be ruled out. On 41 mins, Jamie Osborn struck the Finch cross bar from 20 yards which was followed up by Sam Whiting whom headed the equaliser for Fernhill. Half time score 1-1.

2nd Half :-

Finch Kick off and almost immediately are awarded a throw in. A long throw into the box leads to Matt Wright heading just over the bar. Minutes later, Finch are awarded a free kick 40 yards from goal which is taken by Luke Axton-Hall. The ball is lofted high into the box across the area and bounces in front of the keeper whom this time manages to put round the post for a corner. Harry Swabey attempts a shot on goal from the resulting corner but strikes a Fernhill defender who clears the ball. On 50 mins Finch attack the Fernhill box and as a result are awarded a penalty after Scott Jenner is felled in the box. Greg Alexander stepped up to the spot and struck low and hard, Hobden saved the penalty, but the ball landed again at the feet of the penalty taker whom this time hits the back of the net to restore Finch’s lead at 2-1. 3 minutes later FC Fernhill striker Carl Barrie latches onto a through ball and scuffs the ball around the onrushing keeper into the bottom right of the goal to level the scores at 2-2. with 60 minutes played, Rob Musson is fouled 25 yards from goal. Carl Barrie stepped up to take the free kick, he rounded the wall with a powerful strike, Dave Rackley managed to get a hand on the shot but the power took the ball into the back of the net as Fernhill takes the lead for the first time at 3-2. Finch were now feeling the pressure of the Fernhill attack and relied upon keeper Rackley to rush 30 yards to stem an attempt from reaching the Finch goal. On 62 mins a strong challenge led to Harry Swabey being taken to ground, resulting with him being knocked unconscious momentarily. Reactions from the bench and from supporters led to the game being halted for 10 mins for numerous reasons, but Swabey could not return to the pitch and was consequently substituted. From this free kick, Sam Delander attempted a shot on goal but struck just above the bar. With 70 minutes played Matt Wright took on Lee Hazlewood and passed to Greg Alexander on the edge of the Fernhill box. Alexander then controlled superbly, touching the ball effortlessly past Leon Ingram giving himself an opportunity on goal, of which he chipped over the on rushing keeper from 15 yards to level the scores with the goal of the game at 3-3. Finch then increased the pressure to go for the winning goal, which at times left them subject to a counter attack. With a free kick awarded to Finch 25 yards from goal, Adam Barnard struck across goal but again just wide of the post. Moments later, Fernhill striker Carl Barrie completed his hat trick as he calmly slotted the ball across the Finch keeper from 18 yards after a superb through ball from Jamie Osborn, thus giving Fernhill the lead at 4-3 with 10 minutes remaining. With the end in sight, Fernhill attempted to button up the hatches and defend their way to the final whistle. Finch reacted by piling all of the players up the park to throw all they had at the Fernhill goal. Shots rained in from Sam Delander, Sam Green and Scott Jenner, but none hit the mark as the defence stood strong to the panicked onslaught. Shortly after, the whistle was blown and the final score ended at 4-3 to FC Fernhill.

Congratulations go to FC Fernhill, with commiserations to Finchampstead. Both teams played a superb game of football and done their teams proud. Presentations were made by John Wood (of John Wood Sports) whom is a patron of our Sunday league and by John Bradley (Life President of Berks and Bucks FA). The Man of the Match award went to Sam Whiting.

Bracknell Town and District Sunday League would like to give thanks to Bracknell Town FC for the use of their facilities during both cup finals, and also to the ball boys whom were provided by AFC Crowthorne youth teams.

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