MIDDLESEX CUP FINALS COMPLETED WITH A DRAMATIC VICTORY FOR LARKSPUR ROVERS
The Middlesex FA cup final schedule was completed on Sunday 27th June with the final of the Sunday Junior Cup. This match, which featured Hanworth Sports and Larkspur Rovers Sunday Reserves, was staged at our Rectory Park HQ.
We could not have had a better match to bring down the curtain on our season. An exciting end to end game contained plenty of excellent flowing football and lots of goalmouth action, particularly in the second half. The match started with a goal in the first two minutes and ended with a penalty shoot-out, after Larkspur Rovers had fought back from a two-goal deficit with a couple of late goals.
Hanworth Sports reached the final by beating CB Hounslow United Sunday (4-1 away), Mill Hill Club de Futbol (5-1 away), Spelthorne Spartans (2-0 home) and Twickenham Town (7-0 home). Larkspur Rovers Sunday Reserves had beaten Surely Wood (9-0 away), FC Griffin Park (6-2 home), Court Park (on penalties after a 2-2 home draw) and Ivy Leaf WD (on penalties after a 2-2 away draw).
These clubs met in the 2015-16 final of this competition, which Larkspur Rovers won 2-1 after extra time. Hanworth Sports won this cup in season 2018-19, the last time the final was played.
Hanworth Sports made a perfect start, with Lloyd Vaughan heading home Callum Prower’s corner kick, to put them a goal up inside 2 minutes.
Charlie Moone, the Larkspur goalkeeper dived at the feet of the speeding Marcelo Amorim and was hurt in the process. He recovered quickly and soon afterwards beat Marcelo to a through ball.
Hanworth Sports continued to enjoy the better of the possession throughout the first half.
However, Larkspur Rovers thought that they had equalised in the 21st minute, when Simeon Fearon netted, following a good move but the score was ruled out for offside.
After this, Larkspur’s best scoring attempt before half time was a shot on the turn by Anthony Ball, which Hanworth Sports keeper, Ryan Kear saved low down.
Half time score: Hanworth Sports 1 Larkspur Rovers Sunday Reserves 0
The action really picked up after the interval. Marcelo Amorim worked himself into a good shooting position but placed his shot narrowly wide. Larkspur’s Reece Dixon released Anthony Ball, who fired too high. Several hectic goalmouth melees followed before Hanworth Sports doubled their lead in the 62nd minute. Steve Edwards juggled with the ball and then hit it home on the turn.
Larkspur Rovers then piled on the pressure. Ben McCarron hit a free kick from the edge of the penalty box into the defensive wall. Hanworth keeper, Ryan Kear fell on the ball, following James Breed’s back header from Anthony Ball’s long throw in.
Hanworth Sports broke away and Charlie Moone saved with his feet from Chris West.
Back at the other end, Ryan Kear tipped a 25 yard drive by Jamie Govrey, over his crossbar. He then turned a low curving shot from Sam Cheshire around his post. Michael O’Dwyer’s header from a corner kick was blocked on the goal-line.
Larkspur pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. Ryan Kear, under considerable pressure, failed to gather a long ball into the box, which was eventually headed home by Anthony Ball.
Hanworth Sports hit back and Charlie Moone saved at close range from Steve Edwards’, after the latter had been set up by Sarunas Streibeka.
Larkspur Rovers resumed their onslaught on the Hanworth Sports’ goal. Andy Ingram’s shot was turned over the bar by Ryan Kear. The keeper then dived to save Ryan Durrant’s drive. Simeon Fearon headed a cross from Michael O’Dwyer over the crossbar.
Goalkeeper, Charlie Moone, went up into the Hanworth penalty area for what threatened to be Larkspur’s last corner, in the 4th minute of added time. The ball went to the feet of Simeon Fearon, whose deflected drive flew into the net for the equaliser.
Score after 90 minutes: Hanworth Sports 2 Larkspur Rovers Sunday Reserves 2
Anthony Ball took the first kick in the shoot-out for Larkspur. He was successful as was Richard George for Hanworth.
Ryan Kear dived to his right to save Larkspur’s second kick, taken by Ryan Durrant. Jack Hamlet scored to put Hanworth 2-1 ahead.
Michael O’Dwyer was successful for Larkspur but Charlie Moone, also diving to his right, saved Jimmy Hamlet’s kick for Hanworth, levelling the score at 2-2, after 3 kicks each.
Ben McCarron scored with Larkspur’s 4th kick but Charlie Moone guessed correctly and saved again, this time from Steve Edwards. Simeon Fearon then wrapped the proceedings up for Larkspur Rovers.
Result of Penalty Shoot-out: Hanworth Sports 2 Larkspur Rovers Sunday Reserves 4
Simeon Fearon of Larkspur Rovers was chosen as Player of the Match.
Referee Dani Mansour and his colleagues Andrew Kowalski, Ricky Ansher and Stuart Ansher controlled the match impeccably.
The all-ticket attendance was 133, with a large additional audience from Larkspur Rovers watching through the wire perimeter fence.
This final and all of the other finals and their preceding competitions, were meticulously planned and very efficiently administered by mastermind Samantha Read and Jacob Ballheimer from our HQ. Sam and Jacob were well supported at the finals by fellow members of our HQ staff, various FA councillors and our Rectory Park staff. Our thanks are given to them all.
HANWORTH SPORTS
Ryan Kear, Callum Prower, Adam Beeches, Lloyd Vaughan, Jack Hamlet (capt), Steve Edwards, Sarunas Streibeka, Richard George, Danny Knight, Scott Queen and Marcelo Amorim.
Substitutes (rolling substitutes are used in this competition): Jimmy Hamlet, Dale Beeches, Jamie Webster, Chris West and Lewis Martinho.
Manager: Iain Hamlet Assistant Manager: Dan Hamlet Physio: Martin Jones.
LARKSPUR ROVERS SUNDAY RESERVES
Charlie Moone, Ryan Durrant, Ben McCarron (capt), Michael O’Dwyer, Reece Dixon, Arlind Krasniqi, Sam Cheshire, Andy Ingram, Jay Channell, Anthony Ball and Simeon Fearon.
Substitutes: James Boar, Jamie Govrey, Tom Smith, James Breed and Jayden Walker.
Manager: Mikey O’Dwyer Assistant Manager: Matt Bartlett Coach: Gary Illsley Physio: Chris Housego.
Our official photographer Chris Benn, as ever, has provided some fantastic imagery from the game. If using these photos please give credit.
Chris has selected 12 highlight images which can be found here.
Readers wishing to view the full gallery of images can find these here.
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