Following the Easter break, the Middlesex FA Cup Final programme got back underway last Thursday evening as Hadley Youth edged past a tough Ruislip Rangers side to get their hands on the Under 16 Cup. The match, played in honour of the late Graham Rigby, took place at Hanwell Town FC.

Hadley started the quicker of the two teams and after Caoilan McGettigan’s run and pass, right-back, Andrei Rus saw his shot deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Steven Madgiu ambitious 20-yard volley dipped just over the crossbar.

Madgiu was to have another sight of goal just four minutes later but saw his fantastic curled shot cannon off the crossbar and out of play. Ruislip were struggling to get hold of the forward and on 15 minutes Madgiu was in again. McGettingan, danced through the Ruislip defence before laying it off smartly to Madgiu who dragged his shot wide.

He wasn’t to be denied for much longer though. The same combination that had threatened all game combined again to devastating effect. McGettingan slalomed past the Ruislip defence once again and after his shot was blocked, the ball fell kindly to Madgiu who made no mistake, firing the ball low into the corner and past the reach of Ethan Grubb in the Ruislip goal.

Ruislip Rangers responded. On 27 minutes they mustered their first effort on goal but the 25-yard effort was easy enough for Hadley goalkeeper, Daniel Mohammadi, to deal with. Five minutes later the Hadley defence failed to deploy the offside trap following a long free kick, however, Ruislip were unable to capitalise and the ball fell wide. A minute later the Ruislip pressure told and they had their equaliser. Mark Webb pounced on a mix-up in the Hadley back line and managed to prod the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Half time: Hadley Youth 1-1 Ruislip Rangers

Following the interval, Hadley started the second half brightly and substitute Alex Lambrou saw his 20-yard effort fly over the crossbar. As in the first half, Ruislip responded well and Dillon Deabajo was a whisker away from what would have been a spectacular goal. The substitute went on a fantastic run before hitting the ball on the half volley and seeing it fly narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Five minutes later Deabajo set his sights on goal again, however after being played through on goal, cut back on to his left foot but failed to connect well with the ball that rolled kindly into the arms of the goalkeeper.

After being substituted, Hadley Youth’s influential midfielder, Caoilan McGettigan was back on the field and driving at the Ruislip defence once again. After receiving the ball on the right hand side of the box, the midfielder drove inside and despite the efforts of two Ruislip defenders to prevent his efforts, McGettingan managed to flick the ball deftly over the onrushing goalkeeper to put his side back into the lead.

This time, a Ruislip fightback didn’t materialise and Hadley went close to extending their lead before the final whistle. First, Jack Amelot struck the bar with a header from a corner before goalscorer, Steven Madgiu angled a volley just wide of the post. With just minutes remaining, Hadley thought they had their third of the game but some quick reactions from the Ruislip defence saw the ball cleared off the line.

Final score: Ruislip Rangers 1-2 Hadley Youth

Guests of Honour, Middlesex FA Finance Director, Steve Grover and daughter of the late Graham Rigby, Ashley Thornley presented the medals and trophy after the match. They chose Hadley’s superb midfielder, Caoilan McGettigan as man of the match.

Our thanks are due to Hanwell Town FC for allowing us the use of their superb facilities and for their hospitality during the evening. The attendance was 207.

Ruislip Rangers

Ethan Grubb, Mark Webb, Kian Martin, Ben Higgins, Lewis Crowley, Aiden Robertson, Kieran O’Donghue, Ryan Morgan, Jayden Sharman, Jack Neill.

Substitutes: Lennox Kedman, James Barnett, Raphael Azimi, Jayce Basden, Kai Brosnan, Dillon Deabajo

Manager: Tony Morgan Assistant: John Webb

Hadley Youth

Daniel Mohammadi, Andrei Rus, Patrick Doyle-Audu, Caoilan McGettingan, Antonio Panayiotou, Joshua Lancaster, Oliver Regan, Leo Hill, Hodje Almeida-Joaquim, Justin Stamos, Steven Madgiu.

Substitutes: Loic Eyango, Alex Lambrou, William McLennaghan, Kurt Musasa, Jack Amelot

Manager: Apple Westcott Coach: Ricardo Murrey

Referee: Mark Sellars   Assistant Referees: James Morris and Lee Tilbury   Fourth Official:Colin May

Photos from the game can be found via the link below, courtesy of James Heavey.

View photos