Odd Down AFC was the setting for the first cup final of the season and for a second successive season it was fitting that this final consisted of one former Chippenham & District Sunday League team in Spires Athletic and one from the former Bath & District Sunday League in Griffin FC as they contested the PJL Rail Services Ltd. Sponsored Memorial Cup.
Spires probably were the slight favourites going into the game and seemed to dominate the early stages of the game. This dominance resulted in two early goals for Spires, both from Kieran Tarrant with an excellent finish after nice interplay in the 15th and 18th minutes.
Griffin appeared shaken by this start and Spires continued to dominate although they could not extend their lead further. Griffin then started to play the ball around and gathered confidence. In the 33rd minute hesitancy in the Spires defence allowed Dave Walton to stroke the ball home to reduce the arrears. Five minutes later Duncan Frew drew Griffin level with a shot from distance. Spires looked shocked by this turnaround but could do nothing as Dave Walton grabbed his second of the day in the 42nd minute to put Griffin in front. In the 44th minute Storm Brand extended Griffin’s lead with an excellent strike which saw the Second Division team take a 4-2 into half time.
Spires started the second half well and certainly pressured the Griffin defence, however the eagerness to get goals back left them open at the back and in the 60th minute Matthew Pawley capitalised for Griffin as he scored to extend Griffin’s lead to 5-2. Spires were however not finished as they strove to get back on terms. In the 73rd minute Kieran Tennant gave them hope as he completed his hat trick and reduced the deficit to 5-3. In the 78th minute Zach Preston gave Spires real hope as he scored to bring them just one goal behind.
As time ran out the play was clearly all in one direction as the Griffin defence bravely threw bodies in the way of shots. The Griffin keeper clearly the busier of the two keepers. As the game went into added time Spires thought they had equalised to take the game to extra time but the referee had spotted a foul in the area and gave Griffin a free kick.
As the whistle blew Griffin had taken the Cup with a hard fought 5-4 win.
The Cup and medals were presented by Peter Lowe.
Thanks to the Referee Darren Gay, his two assistants Dave Davis and Zach Muslin along with the fourth official Sam Gooding.
Also special Thanks to Odd Down FC for hosting the final.
Congratulations to Griffin FC and commiserations to Spires Athletic FC who showed how exciting a cup final can be.
