Hinckley LRFC Development Clinches the Westerby Group Saturday Intermediate County Cup

Hinckley Leicester Road Development have won the Westerby group Saturday Intermediate County Cup after a tight affair at Holmes Park

Community Football Academy 1-1 (2-4) Hinckley LRFC Development

Amidst the electric atmosphere of Holmes Park, spectators were treated to a riveting showcase of football during the Westerby Group Saturday Intermediate County Cup Final. The clash between Community Football Academy (CFA) and Hinckley LRFC Development was a spectacle eagerly awaited by supporters, promising an intense showdown.

It was a cagey start from both sides, with neither side gaining a strong foothold in the game. However, it was Hinckley who had the first shot on target of the game in the 11^th minute, when Harry Smith picked up the ball from 30 yards and fired a long-range attempt towards goal that was comfortably saved by Aamir Bham in the CFA net.

Just a minute later, Hinckley piled on the pressure once again when Brogan Greenwood raced down the right wing and was fouled inside the box by CFA’s centre-half. Smith placed the ball on the penalty spot, but his strike into the bottom right corner was denied by CFA’s shot-stopper to keep the game all square within the opening 15 minutes.

The pace of the game continued to increase, with both sides looking to hurt each other from crosses out wide. However, it was Luke Hall’s side who struck first in the 22^nd minute when Greenwood whipped in a delicious cross to the far post, which was nodded home by Chris Jones.

Community Football Academy 0-1 Hinckley LRFC Development

Although Hinckley struck first, the game was very much open, with both sides creating equal chances throughout a physical first half.

In the 37^th minute, CFA’s resilience paid off when their dangerous man, Zak Yusuf, whipped in a delightful indirect freekick that was clipped into the back of the net by Jaseem Khamkar, who scored his 20^th goal of the season.

Community Football Academy 1-1 Hinckley LRFC Development

With the tie firmly poised and featuring end-to-end action, both teams entered the break equal, knowing that one mistake could be costly in the cup final.

Community Football Academy 1-1 Hinckley LRFC Development (HT)

Adam Maravia’s side started the second half much better than Hinckley, pressing from the top in an attempt to cause problems for Hinckley’s backline. This nearly paid off in the opening six minutes, when Yusuf latched on to a loose ball, but his sliding shot down the middle was saved by Luke Jefferey.

On the hour mark, it was clear that the tempo of the game was much slower than the first, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances, much credit having to go to the defence of both teams.

It took until the 90^th minute for the second half to come alive for both sides. CFA thought they had the winner in the second minute of stoppage time when Khamkar picked out Yusuf with a lovely first-time pass, which the attacker rounded the keeper and stroked into the empty net. However, his goal was quickly waved off by the linesmen for a close offside call, much to the dismay of the CFA crowd, who created a great atmosphere throughout the whole game alongside the supporters of Hinckley.

In the 98th minute, the match saw another moment of high tension when Smith was brought down inside the box by a CFA player. Referee Jordan Hudson wasted no time in awarding a penalty for the foul.

With the match hanging in the balance and hundreds of supporters holding their breath, Sam Carroll steadied himself for the final kick. With a deep breath, he unleashed his penalty, aiming for the bottom left corner. Yet, once more, Bham proved equal to the task, his cat-like reflexes allowing him to tip the ball away with his fingertips.

As the full-time whistle echoed across Holmes Park, contrasting emotions swept through the crowd. Euphoria engulfed the CFA faithful, while disbelief hung heavy among the Hinckley supporters. With the score level, the cup final now ventured into the tense territory of a penalty shootout.

Community Football Academy 1-1 Hinckley LRFC Development (FT)

CFA went first in the penalty shootout and tucked away their first attempt. David Mensa-Bonsu followed up for Hinckley and calmly placed his shot down the middle.

CFA’s second penalty was brilliantly saved by Jefferey in the Hinckley net, which allowed his side to capitalise and give Hinckley the lead when Greenwood fired past Bham.

Hinckley went on to score two more penalties, while CFA scored one and had another penalty saved by Jefferey, which saw them crowned Saturday Intermediate County Cup champions.

Community Football Academy 1-1 (2-4) Hinckley LRFC Development (FT)

Attendance: 343

Match Officials: Jordan Hudson (Referee), Bhavnesh Gangajali (Assistant Referee), Adam Doughty (Assistant Referee) and Darren Ellis (Fourth Official)