Suffolk Junior Cup Final
The New Croft, Haverhill
Admission: £3.00
Programme: None
Attendance: 200 (estimate)
By the time the celebrations following the Suffolk Senior Cup Final had finally died down, there would be less than an hour until this Junior Cup Final would begin at The New Croft. Just about the right time to take on some sustenance to refuel in the middle of long afternoon in the sun.
When their league campaigns were curtailed, Mutford & Wrentham were in second place in the Anglian Combination Division Four, following nine wins and a defeat from their ten league games, whilst Stowupland Falcons were in fourth place in the Suffolk & Ipswich League Division One, following four wins and a drawn from their nine league games. To reach today's final, Mutford & Wrentham had beaten Cockfield United 5-2 at home, Wickham Market away on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Thurston 3-0 at home, Kirton Athletic 0-3 away, before beating Brandon Town 3-2 on neutral territory in the semi-final. Stowupland Falcons had beaten Ufford Sports 1-2 away, AFC Kesgrave 1-2 away, Saxmundham Sports 2-0 at home, and then Sporting 87 2-1 in the semi-final.
With the warm sunshine continuing throughout this afternoon, although with a pleasant cooling breeze, the first half was an even affair, with Stowupland having the first major chance on 19 minutes when, following a corner, Craig Simpson headed just wide at the far post. But on 27 minutes, it was Mutford & Wrentham who took the lead when Jordan Gissing drilled a free kick from right on the edge of the box into the bottom left hand corner. As the first half entered added on time, Stowupland got back on level terms following a long punt downfield by the keeper went just over a defender's head and into the path of Blake Richards, who ran on before playing the ball diagonally towards the far post, for Ryan Rampley to tap the ball home just before the covering defenders could get there.
The second half saw Mutford & Wrentham do much of the attacking, Harley Thompson forcing the keeper into an excellent tip over the bar on 57 minutes, whilst several other shots were well gathered by the keeper. But after they looked the more likely to go on to win the cup, and then it looking increasingly inevitable that a penalty shoot-out would be required to settle the tie, Stowupland Falcons dramatically found the back of the net in the secod minute of added on time, when a long throw in was flicked on, and then headed in at the far post by Craig Lockwood, The remaining couple of minutes of added on time were seen out quite comfortably, to ensure that it was Stowupland Falcons who would lift the Suffolk Junior Cup for the first time in their history.
This proved a most enjoyable day, with a relaxed atmosphere around the ground, enthusiastic support for all teams involved, and the organisation at the gate, at the refreshment outlets and around the ground ensured the day passed smoothly and enjoyably.
The Teams
Mutford & Wrentham: Tony Baxter, Morgan Jones, Jamie Besford, Jordan Gissing, Jarred Blake, Chris Healey, Ryan Grimmer, Callum Jones, Ryan Davies, Harley Thompson, Ollie Hall. Used subs: Sam Clabburn, Jordan Duncan, Sam Atkins, Nelson Corinhas.
Stowupland Falcons: Dale Watling, Aston White, Sam Bobby, Ryan Titlow, Luke Ranson, Dale Nibloe, Callum Lee, Blake Richards, Craig Simpson, Ryan Rampley, Craig Lockwood. Used subs: Ki Patey, Bryn Blower, Jack Minns, Joe Chalk, Rueben Bailey.
Referee: Matt Oakley.
An excellent video of describing the game and featuring highlights by fellow groundhopper Deejam can be viewed by clicking here.
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