Barwell Cricketers FC 2-2 (2-4 Pens) Leicester Bharat SLF

In a thrilling encounter and display of Sunday League Football at Holmes Park, the Westerby Group Sunday Intermediate County Cup Final unfolded with an air of anticipation as Barwell Cricketers FC squared off against Leicester Bharat SLF. The stage was set for an intense battle, and both sides did not disappoint.

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Match officials and captains (Credit - Alexandra Johnson)

The game started at a frantic pace, with both sides eager to gain a strong foothold in the game. However, it was Barwell who had the first shot at goal within the opening minute. Matthew Pratt found Cam Atkinson in space on the right wing, who cut onto his left foot but just fired wide off the post 

SLF had their first chance to break the deadlock early into the game when Orrin Carter-Fell found Kyle Williams with a pin-point cross field pass, but the winger's shot just missed the target with his curling attempt.

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Action from the first half (Credit - Alexandra Johnson)

The first shot on target came after 11 minutes for Barwell. Pratt’s raw pace and strength was a threat the whole game, and he nearly broke the deadlock after he latched onto a clearance from the Barwell defence, but the SLF shot-stopper, George Warren made himself big to deny Pratt’s attempt from close range.

The early warning signs were clear from both sides, who came into the final with attacking intent.

However, it was Leicester Bharat who struck first in the game. In the 16^th minute, Lewis Turland whipped in a delightful in-swinging cross which was met with a power header from Ayrton Carter-Fell to give Shane Birt’s side the lead.

Barwell Cricketers FC 0-1 Leicester Bharat SLF

Although SLF took the lead in the game, the County Cup final was still wide open, with both sides maintaining equal possession of the ball and forcing half-chances at goal.

With five minutes to go, SLF were prepared to enter the half-time break with a one-goal advantage. However, Barwell’s striker, Pratt, was keen to spoil the party when he pounced on to an accurate freekick from James Graham and finished with a clever looping header past Warren in the Leicester Bharat net to equalise for the Nuneaton & District Sunday Football League side.

Barwell Cricketers FC 1-1 Leicester Bharat SLF (HT)

Both sides started the second half more tentatively than the first, knowing that one mistake could be costly for either team in the final.

On the hour mark, the first shot on target of the second half arrived when Orrin Carter-Fell played a precise through ball into the path of Turland, but his outside-of-the-foot shot was denied by the feet of Liam Castle in the Barwell net.

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Action from the second half (Credit - Alexandra Johnson)

SLF began to gain a strong foothold in the game and threatened the Barwell several times in the opening moments of the second half. Although Shane Birt’s side caused a variety of problems from open play, they were far more effective from set pieces.

This proved to be the case after 62 minutes when another Turland corner was smashed home by the head of Ayrton Carter-Fell. Almost a carbon copy of their goal in the first half.

Barwell Cricketers FC 1-2 Leicester Bharat SLF

In a similar fashion to the first half, when SLF took the lead, Barwell looked for an instant reply, but with the help of Warren in net for Leicester Bharat, it proved extremely difficult to beat the shot-stopper, who was in fine form during this final.

With several attempts at goal, Rob Guest’s Barwell side showed pure determination and team spirit and were rewarded with a goal on the 80-minute mark when Atkinson latched on to a loose ball inside the area and buried a cool finish into the bottom corner to send the cup final into penalties.

Barwell Cricketers FC 2-2 Leicester Bharat SLF 

Barwell went first in the tense penalty shootout and comfortably slotted away their first penalty to put pressure on SLF.

Mayers stepped up for SLF, and calmy slotted his penalty into the bottom left corner to put the pressure back on to Barwell.

The pressure proved too much as Waters smashed Barwell’s second penalty over the crossbar.

Following a calm penalty from Turland for SLF, Shane Birt’s side went on to score 4/4 penalties whilst Warren saved a pivotal spot kick in the process, which crowned SLF the Westerby Group Sunday Intermediate County Cup champions.

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SLF celebrations after the penalty shootout (Credit - Alexandra Johnson)

Leicester Bharat SLF manager, Shane Birth, commented on the challenging match against Barwell Cricketers. He said: “It’s a horrible way to end a game on penalties but someone has got to win.

“I was nervous towards the end of normal time because they were piling on some pressure in the last few minutes, and I’m just glad that we got over the line in the end.”

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Player of the match - George Warren (Credit - Alexandra Johnson)

Attendance: 146

Player of the match: George Warren

Match Officials: Dale Headley (Referee), Luke Moore (Assistant Referee), Liam Murgatroyd (Assistant Referee) and Terrence Simmons (Fourth Official)

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