The Middlesex Intermediate Cup final was hosted by Hendon FC at their impressively refurbished Silver Jubilee Park venue on Wednesday, 24^th April. The finalists, from the original entry of 25 teams, were Pitshanger Dynamo and PFC Victoria London, both of whom compete in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County League.

Pitshanger Dynamo FC was formed in 1972 and joined the Middlesex League, forerunners to the Middlesex County League. They were founder members of the MCL in 1984 but left in 1997. They returned in 2010, joining Division 2, which was won at the first attempt. They were promoted to the Premier Division in 2015, after finishing as Division 1 runners up in consecutive seasons. They achieved a top three finish this season.

PFC Victoria London was formed in 2016, with the object of attracting the interest of Polish players in greater London. The team is based on players with professional experience in their native country. They entered the MCL Division 2 for the 2016/17 season and they are now riding high in the Premier Division, having won Division 2 and Division 1 in consecutive seasons.

PFC Victoria were in control for most of the game. They were convincing winners of an entertaining match, played in a sporting spirit. Both teams should be commended on their attractive passing football.

PFC took the initiative from the start and a penetrating run through the Pitshanger defence by Daniel Smoczynski was only stopped by a combination of several defenders. They went ahead in the 9^th minute, through Mateusz Jaremkiewicz, who gained possession on the edge of the penalty area and shot into the corner of the net.

Mateusz, who was outstanding throughout the match made a good run and set up Lukasz Paczkowski, whose square pass into the goal area failed to attract a touch. Pitshanger keeper, Liam Wheeler saved at Mateusz’s feet. Then Piotr Kwaitek found an unmarked Mateusz in front of goal but the latter hit his shot over the crossbar.

Damian Wacewicz made ground and passed to Mateusz, who tested Liam Wheeler again.

PFC custodian, Bartek Fogler, made an acrobatic close range save, following a well flighted corner from Greg Miley.

Lukasz Paczkowski couldn’t get sufficient curve on a free kick awarded in a dangerous position on the left and the ball went out of play beyond Pitshanger’s far post. Mateusz fastened onto a good through ball but Liam Wheeler left his penalty area to save the situation.

Daniel Smoczynski initiated a promising move by releasing Lukasz into the Pitshanger box but the goalkeeper just beat Bartek Kijowski to Lukasz’s low cross.

Pitshanger came close equalising on 42 minutes when a shot from more than 30 yards by Luke Wretham bounced on top of the PFC crossbar.

Half time score: Pitshanger Dynamo 0 PFC Victoria London 1

PFC nearly increased their lead 5 minutes after the interval, when a defence splitting move set up Przemyslaw Kubisz , right in front of goal. Unfortunately, he lost his footing at the crucial moment.

However, PFC scored a second goal in the 56^th minute, when Daniel Smoczynski converted a long pass into the penalty area.

They increased their lead to 3-0, just 3 minutes later. Liam Wheeler got his hands to Mateusz’s lofted free kick from way out on the right but couldn’t stop it from entering the net behind him.

Pitshanger Dynamo reduced the deficit in the 80^th minute through Luke Wretham, who forced the ball home from close range, following a corner.

However, PFC maintained their control of the match. Liam Wheeler made a good close range save, following a corner by Dominik Patek and a timely tackle stopped Bartek Andryszak, after he had been played in by Mateusz.

PFC were content to keep possession of the ball during the 5 minutes of time added on by the referee.

Final score: Pitshanger Dynamo 1 PFC Victoria London 3

Referee Richard Morris impressed. The match was played in a very good spirit and the players didn’t present him with very many problems but his speed of movement, which he maintained for the whole 95 minutes, his positioning and his decision making were all first class.   He was very well supported by the members of his team.

The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Director, Bob Elliott, was presented to the teams and the match officials before the kick off and presented the cup and personal mementoes, on the field, at the end of the match. Unsurprisingly, he chose PFC Victoria’s skilful attacking midfielder, Mateusz Jaremkiewicz, as Player of the Match.

Our grateful thanks are given to Hendon FC for allowing us the use of their excellent 3G pitch and facilities and for making us so welcome on the night. Hendon’s hospitality, together with the work of the dedicated members of the Middlesex FA Adult Cups Sub-committee and the Middlesex FA staff, helped to make this a memorable and enjoyable occasion.

The attendance was 112.

PITSHANGER DYNAMO

Liam Wheeler, Elliott Miley, Nico Campbell, Liam Steward-George (Tom Pudney 75 min), Dan Owen (Gerard Flanagan 70 mins), Luke Wretham, David Jones, Liam Thomas, Greg Miley (capt), Nathan Edwards and Josh Llewellyn (Tom Cummings 63 min) .

Substitutes not used: Reece Johal and Mika Dedoncker.

Manager: Gabriel Jones

Assistant Manager: Michael Roche

Physio: Drilon Velu

PFC VICTORIA LONDON

Bartek Fogler, Piotr Kwiatek, Mariusz Gogol, Jakub, Malczuk (capt), Daniel Smoczynski, Damian Wacewicz, Adrian Tache, Mateusz Jaremkiewicz, Przemyslaw Kubisz (Maciek Blasik 63 min), Lukasz Paczkowski (Dominik Patek 56 min) and Bartek Kijowski (Bartek Andryszak 69 min).

Substitutes not used: Filip Chalupniczak and Hussein Vakili.

Manager: Emil Knot

Assistant Manager: Jakub Pietrzak

Sporting Director: Robert Blaszczak

Physio: Konrad Jaworski

Referee: Richard Morris

Assistant Referees: Colin Wordsworth and Anthony Cox

Fourth Official: Hitesh Jansari