The winners with the cup

KENSINGTON TOWN WIN SUNDAY INTERMEDIATE CUP

Jim Taylor

The Middlesex FA Sunday Intermediate Cup final was contested on Sunday, 16th April at Northwood FC’s Skyline Roofing Stadium.   The teams involved were North London Athletic, who play in Division 1 of the Barnet Sunday League and Kensington Town of the Central London Sunday League.   Both clubs have come into existence fairly recently.   North London Athletic were formed in 2019 and Kensington Town in 2022.  Congratulations to them both on reaching this prestigious final, beating some formidable clubs on the way.

The Sunday Intermediate Cup was first competed for in the 1966-67 season, when it was won by Harefield FC.

32 teams entered the competition for the current season (a nice tidy number  – no byes necessary in the first round).

North London Athletic reached the final by beating Inter Brook 6-1 (H) in round 1, Hayes Town 4-3 (H) in round 2, Ivy Leaf WD 3-2 (H) in the quarter-final and Ryefield 3-0 (A) in the semi-final.

Kensington Town received a walk-over against Ashford Town (Middlesex) Sunday in round 1 and then beat Grange Park 4-0 (H) in round 2, Enfield United 5-3 (A) in the quarter-final and Jolly Coopers 2-0 (H) in the semi-final.

Kensington Town won an interesting, evenly balanced and hard-fought match by a single goal scored very early in the game.   After this, neither side was able to create a telling strike.   Both goalkeepers enjoyed a relatively trouble-free morning.

Obinna Ogbunna (11) shoots...

In the 6th minute, Jordan Ikala released Obinna Ogbunna, who beat North London Athletic keeper, Favio Rodriguez with a well-directed low shot.

...and Kensington Town take the lead...

...and Obinna celebrates

Play then moved rapidly from end to end.   Kensington Town keeper, Michael Power-Simpson held a freekick from around 30 yards from Demetris Frangeskides.

Youel Emmanuel (5) hits the ball past the keeper...

Obinna set up Youel Emmanuel, who with only the keeper to beat, fired across the goal.

...and past the post

A well struck shot by Town’s Stephan Langley cleared the crossbar.

Athletic’s Khalil Zakkour tried a long-range shot but he was also too high.   Khalil then won the ball and cut in but ran out of space.   Khali and Alex Michaelidis were linking well but were unable to make a decisive break-through.

Jordan Ikala won the ball in a tackle and took it onward but his shot was blocked by an Athletic defender, at the expense of a corner.

Mario Spyrou (29) shoots...

A long freekick by Alex Michaelidis found Mario Spyrou, who fired across goal and out beyond Town’s far post.

...but the ball goes wide

A good Town move involving Obinna, skipper Eliot Crosbie and Jordan Ikala, finished with Jordan’s shot being charged down.   Then a long throw-in by Jordan into the North London goalmouth was cleared.

Youel Emmanuel's free kick is blocked by the wall

Obinna was brought down in a central position, on the edge of the North London penalty area, by Pouriya Bayat, who was shown a yellow card.   The resulting freekick, by Youel Emmanuel was blocked by the defensive wall.

Khalil released Alex, who shot on the turn past the Town post.

Half-time score: North London Athletic 0   Kensington Town 1

A good cross-field ball from Town’s Youel Emmanuel found Azeez Elugushi, whose low shot was blocked for a corner.

Obinna Ogbunna broke clear but was stopped by a well-timed interception by Athletic’s Ricky Rogers.

Azeez Elugushi was brought down wide on the right.   Tobi Falodi’s resulting freekick was cleared.

Tommie Hoban’s fierce shot was blocked by Town’s Joe Ataro, who was hurt in the process and had to leave the field.

Malvin Prempeh fed Matthew Shaw, whose cross shot was headed away for a NLA corner by Idowu Gbolagade.

Tobi Falodi’s long freekick into the NLA box found Obinna, who shot over the bar.

Then, at the other end, Tommie Hoban’s freekick was also hit too high, after Khalil Zakkour had been fouled around 30 yards from goal.   Then Tommie released Andrew Yiasoumi, who shot into the side-netting.

Keeper Favio Rodriguez blocks Obinna Ogbunna

Obinna made a good run through the NLA defence but was blocked by the keeper at close range.

Keeper Michael Power-Simpson claims the ball following a long throw-in

Matthew Shaw launched a couple of long throw-ins into the Kensington Town box in an attempt to set up an equaliser but they were dealt with by the defence.

Final score: North London Athletic 0   Kensington Town 1

The winners with the cup

The game was well controlled with calm authority, by referee Daniel Harvey.   He had good support from his team. 

The Guest of Honour was Middlesex FA Finance Director, Steve Grover.   Steve was introduced to all 3 teams before kick off and presented the Cup and mementoes after the match.   He selected Kensington Town’s Obinna Ogbunna as Player of the Match.

Our thanks are given to Northwood FC, for allowing us the use of their splendid facilities and for their kind hospitality.

TEAM LINE-UPS:

North London Athletic: Favio Rodriguez, Pouriya Bayat, Malvin Prempeh, Mario Spyrou, Ricky Rogers, Andrew Yiasoumi, Savva Petrou, Alex Michaelidis, Khalil Zakkour (capt), Tommie Hoban and Demetris Frangeskides.

Rolling substitutes: Matthew Shaw, Aaron Harney, Luke Stylianou, Franc Silinou and Shervin Hassanzadeh.

Manager: Matthew Koushi   Coaches: George Costas, Mario Jacovides and Jack Koushi.

Kensington Town: Michael Power-Simpson, Tobi Falodi, Theo Hunte, Stephan Langley, Idowu Gbolagade, Joe Ataro, Sean Ndinga-Basaye, Youel Emmanuel, Eliot Crosbie (capt), Obinna Ogbunna and Jordan Ikala.

Rolling substitutes: Tishayne Flemmings, Kwame Pamboe, Ibby Akanbi, Azeez Elagushi and Dylan Duah-Boateng.

Manager: Dean Banks   Coaches: Jeff Banks and Perry Banks.   

Referee: Daniel Harvey   Assistant Referees: Denis Hasanaj and Jake Martin   Fourth Official : Aiden Farrelly

Attendance: 54

We thank Chris & Jim for their time covering this game. As ever they have selected their favourite shots from the match, Chris has also kindly provided a full album of imagery from the match.

Chris & Jim's Picks

Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn

Photography - Chris Benn