In a thrilling Dave Whitton Memorial Cup Final encounter at Pocklington Town HPL on 15 October 2024, Sculcoates Amateurs secured a convincing 3-1 victory against AFC West Hull Gunners First. The match kicked off at 7:30pm, with a modest crowd of 50 spectators witnessing a display of skill and determination from both sides.
Sculcoates Amateurs lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for creativity in attack. Joseph Piercy took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Declan Howard on the right, Taylor Burdick and Samuel Thames in central defence, and Liam White on the left. The midfield trio featured Ryan Brusch on the right, Luca Sowerby centrally, and Alex Stock on the left, while Gaell Nzayadio and Martin Jones operated as attacking midfielders, supporting lone striker Jake Harman. The substitutes for the match included Albie Collier, Conrad Taylor, Tom Leslie, Ben Flowerdew, and Kian Skelton.
The match began with both teams probing for an early advantage. Jake Harman had the first real opportunity in the ninth minute, but his effort was saved by the AFC West Hull Gunners' goalkeeper. Sculcoates continued to press, and Alex Stock came close in the 18th minute, only to see his shot also saved. Harman had another chance shortly after, but his attempt in the 21st minute went wide, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
As the first half progressed, Sculcoates Amateurs finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Taylor Burdick capitalised on a goalmouth scramble, scoring with a right-footed flick after a clever assist from Samuel Thames. This goal sent Sculcoates into the break with a 1-0 lead, a reward for their persistent attacking play.
The second half commenced with a swift response from AFC West Hull Gunners, who equalised just three minutes in. A well-executed team move culminated in a right-footed strike that found the back of the net, bringing the score to 1-1 and reigniting the contest.
However, Sculcoates Amateurs were quick to respond, regaining the lead in the 51st minute. Albie Collier, who had just come on for Harman at half-time, showcased his individual brilliance with a stunning solo goal, driving forward and finishing with his right foot to make it 2-1.
The match continued to ebb and flow, with both teams making tactical substitutions to influence the game. In the 60th minute, Conrad Taylor replaced Gaell Nzayadio, followed by Tom Leslie coming on for Ryan Brusch in the 70th minute. As the game approached its final stages, Sculcoates made further changes, with Ben Flowerdew replacing Martin Jones in the 78th minute and Kian Skelton coming on for Alex Stock just a minute later.
As the clock ticked down, Sculcoates Amateurs sealed their victory with a third goal in the 90th minute. Ben Flowerdew, who had just entered the fray, scored following a well-worked team move, receiving a short pass from Kian Skelton before finishing with his right foot. This goal capped off a fine performance from Sculcoates, ensuring a 3-1 triumph over their opponents.
Referee Joshua Thorpe officiated the match with authority, contributing to a well-managed game that saw both teams display their competitive spirit. With this victory, Sculcoates Amateurs won the Dave Whitton Memorial Trophy, buoyed by a strong team performance and standout contributions from players like Taylor Burdick, who was named Player of the Match for his pivotal role in defence and his crucial goal.
