The Malcolm Foy Memorial Trophy Final took place today at Braintree Town FC, between division two sides Terling Villa and Witham Galacticos the current holders of the trophy.
The game off to a fast start with both sides starting at a pace, Galacticos had the first sight of goal when a free-kick from Mitchell Yeo flashed across the face of goal and then Terling had the first corner of the game, Scott Collins delivery was met by the head of Woolfenden but it went wide, at the other end Yeo got away down the left for Galacticos he crossed for Orr but he could only find Gavin Woolfenden’s gloves as he tried to lift it over him. Terling took the lead after 9 minutes as a quick breakaway saw Dawson advance down the right flank he laid the ball nicely in to the path of Tristan WOOLFENDEN who took it in his stride and finished past Cannock in the Galacticos goal. Galacticos who had made most of the running tried to respond quickly, a long range effort from Ryan McCormack dipped just over but it was Terling who doubled their lead after 13 minutes when a free-kick from Scott Collins was headed across goal by Colley, as Galacticos stopped and a appealed for a foul Matt ROSS was left unmarked and he nodded the ball in to the net. It was 3-0 six minutes later, Scott Collins played the ball wide for Webb who crossed for Tristan WOOLFENDEN to score his second with a neat finish past Cannock. Galacticos again tried to force a way back in to the game, a well driven free-kick by Yeo forced Woolfenden to save and the keeper did even better minutes later getting down well to push away Stoneham’s header from Orr’s corner. Terling then had another chance to stretch their lead when Collins crossed from the left for Dawson who drilled straight at the keeper when well paced. Galacticos finally reduced the arrears with 9 minutes of the half remaining, when they were awarded a penalty after the linesman spotted some pulling in the box and YEO stepped up a fired the ball in to the corner.
Half-Time: Terling Villa 3 Witham Galacticos 1
Galacticos come out fighting in the early stages of the second half and they had a great opportunity to score on 50 minutes but both Marti Cullum and Jamie Lawes couldn’t find the net as the ball bounced around the six yard area, then a great strike from Cullum forced a fine save from Woolfenden, then as in the first half with Galacticos on top Terling went down the other end and put the game out of reach when they made it 4-1, Scott Collins at the heart of most of Villa’s best moves played the ball through to Ryan DAWSON and he slipped the ball past the on rushing keeper, they then round off a good display with a fifth with 8 minutes to go when substitute James ALLISTON headed in at the near post following a corner. Unfortunately Galacticos again seemed to be punished the last few minutes as first Adam Clark was sent off for what we presume is a tackle? and then Jack Murphy was dismissed for a shove in the chest of an opponent after they had made a terrible challenge? neither incidents looked wortho of a card. Terling had one final chance to score when a free-kick from Woolfenden hit the wrong side of the post.
Final Score: Terling Villa 5 Witham Galacticos 1
It was a very disapointing day but it was completely overshadowed by some very poor officiating. Credit to the supporters who showed up and the superb attitude of the team after (win or loose were on the booze!).....I could go on for pages about the performance of the ref but it is a complete waste of time explaining the ins and outs and all we need to do is focus on now is gaining revenge in the next final and securing promotion.
