50s Defend their TVWFL Cup Title
Our 50’s team successfully defended their Thames Valley League Cup title at Bisham Abbey on Sunday.
The first group game was against Wokingham where Watford ran out 1-0 winners with Rob Hopkins scoring the only goal of the game.
Next up were Farnham Flares. Watford took the lead within 10 seconds after Flares’ central midfielder was dispossessed immediately after kick off by Sam Biggerstaff, with Rob Hopkins pouncing on the opportunity. 40 seconds later Watford doubled their lead with Rob again applying the finishing touch to excellent pressing by the Watford midfield. Rob was to complete his hatrick with 6 minutes to play before being substituted receiving high fives from his team mates.
Hurst were our next opponents in a close, tough game. Rob (who else) scored again after a perfect pass from a corner from Spencer Whytock which he fizzed across the face of the goal for Rob to slam home expertly from a tight angle.
In order to top the group and progress through to the knock out stages, Watford needed at least a draw from a game with Oxford Utd B. Littered with skilful South American players, Oxford gave Watford their toughest test yet and the game finished 0-0 with both sides playing some excellent football. Neil Crabb was faultless in the heart of the defence and new recruit Matt Dickman gave Oxford a lot to think about with his skilful ball retention.
On to the Semi Finals and Watford faced excellent opponents in Bracknell. This proved to be a very tight game with both sides forcing a number of opportunities with their free flowing football. The game looked to be heading for penalties when manger Glenn Cato brought on veteran centre forward Grant Proudfoot. It was a tactical masterpiece with Watford being awarded a penalty with 2 minutes to play which Grant cooly dispatched.
On to the final where we faced a very strong Oxford United A side. The game was played in a great spirit with both sides going for the win. Oxford were to score first after 4 minutes but Watford hit back immediately with Rob bringing his total goals for the morning to 6 after some dazzling footwork and a finish low to the keepers left. Watford then were awarded a penalty which Grant stood up to take, he slammed the ball into the back of the net only for the goal to be disallowed after an infringement in his run (walk!!) up.
The game finished at one all so on to a penalty shoot-out. Rob stepped up to plant the ball in the top left corner, Oxford equalised; Grant made no mistake this time with the second penalty, Oxford equalised. Spencer took the third – hammering the ball straight down the middle with a moment of concern when the keeper got a hand to the strike but it was not enough to cope with the power, Oxford equalised. On to sudden death, Neil had his penalty saved by the Oxford keeper which meant if Oxford were to score Watford would be heading out of the competition. Up stepped keeper Kevin Schmid to keep Watford in the game with an excellent save from a well struck penalty. We lived to fight on. Next up was Sam Biggerstaff who had yet to take a penalty in Walking Football. Sam dispatched his penalty only for it to be disallowed for the same infringement Grant suffered earlier in the tournament. Thankfully the same fate befell the Oxford striker so it was down the two keepers to take penalties against each other. Kevin perfectly rolled the ball in to the bottom right hand corner after sending his counterpart the wrong way. Unfortunately for Oxford their goalkeepers penalty was also disallowed for an infringement so Watford came out winners!
While narrowly coming through the penalty shootout, Watford were worthy winners on the day having played some excellent football and only conceding one goal in the entire competition.
On to the regional finals, if Watford are victorious there they then have the opportunity to defend their Walking Football FA Cup crown secured last year at St George’s Park in November.
