Middlesex County Football League rivals Chiswick Homefields and Hillingdon took to the field at North Greenford United on a cool Wednesday evening, both in search of their first MCFA Junior Cup victory.
It was clear from the start that both sides were fairly evenly matched and both started at a rare old pace in search of an early goal and it was Hillingdon that had the first attempt on goal.
With a quarter of an hour gone, Chiswick conceded a free kick just outside their penalty area and from the resultant set piece Hillingdon’s Craig Moss struck a sweet free kick that just flicked the outside of the post, with Chiswick ‘keeper Gavin McEvoy a mere spectator.
With the very next move it was Chiswick Homefield’s turn to win a free kick in a dangerous place, just outside the Hillingdon penalty area.
Chiswick’s impressive Jordan Rocca took a superb free kick, which left Hillingdon goalkeeper Graeme Gordon helpless, as the ball crashed into the top right hand corner to draw first blood with 18 minutes gone.
Hillingdon hit straight back looking for an equaliser and on the 20 minute mark it duly came as Liam Sheridan finished off a fine move, volleying home a fierce shot from around 10 yards, past the helpless McEvoy.
Both sides traded blows as the games flowed from end to end, still at lightning pace as they both looked for a chance to take the lead. After 30 minutes the next goal came and it was Chiswick Homefields that forged ahead once more – Emanuele Scalera finishing off a flowing move with a crisp low shot into the bottom left hand corner.
As when they went behind the first time, back came Hillingdon, looking for an immediate equaliser and it nearly came as the resilient Chiswick defensive line charged Daniele Denyer’s fierce shot down.
Both goalkeeper’s looked impressive all game and just before the break it was Hillingdon’s Gordon that saved well to deny Mark Hignett’s goalbound effort.
HALF TIME CHISWICK HOMEFIELDS 2 HILLINGDON 1
After the break it was more of the same with both sides attacking at every opportunity, although Hillingdon were beginning to show an air of desperation as the minutes ticked by and they still trailed in a pulsating match.
The longer the game went on the more composed Chiswick Homefields were looking as they began to repel the frequent Hillingdon forays with much more ease. A spate of substitutions for both sides barely affected the flow and pace of the game as Hillingdon looked desperately for a second equaliser. While Chiswick Homefields were beginning to look even more dangerous on the break, with the dangerous Waseem Khalique going desperately close to adding a third goal for them.
Chiswick substitute Jamie Ingley, who seemed to possess his own fan club on the evening, went close with a low shot as the gaps through the Hillingdon defence began to appear as they pushed ever forward in the quest for an equaliser, As the game entered stoppage time another goal did come, and it was the lively Jordan Rocca that clinched the Junior Cup for Chiswick Homefields, as he finished off a brisk counter attack with a fierce low effort past the diving Gordon to put his side 3-1 ahead.
Only then did Hillingdon appear to be a beaten side, as Chiswick Homefields comfortably played out the remaining minutes to deservedly win the Junior Cup for the first time in their history.
The Match was well refereed by Mark Sennett ably assisted by Steve Reuter and Mike Heavey, with David Low doing a great job as Reserve Official.
MCFA Councillor James Klarfeld was the Guest of Honour and he awarded the mementoes to both teams and the Match Officials. James also selected Chiswick Homefields two-goal hero Jordan Rocca as the “Man of the Match”
, in what must have been a difficult decision as there were plenty of impressive performances from players of both sides.
North Greenford United staged the match excellently as the usual, their fine playing surface gaining praise from both the finalists. The match attendance was a highly respectable 110 and they were provided with great entertainment from two committed sides, which made the Cup Final occasion a very memorable one.