Cup final no conundrum for Belstone
Old Bradwell United – 0
Belstone – 4
O Salami 8’ 67’ B Lobjoit 26’ (p) 73’ (p)
13th May 2023
Belstone won the Anagram Records Trophy Final in convincing style as they put four past Old Bradwell United at Honeycroft, the home of Uxbridge FC; despite a hugely successful season for the Milton Keynes based outfit they simply had no response against the Herts Senior League side.
Goals apiece for Ollie Salami & Billy Lobjoit either side of the break saw the Radlett side romp to victory, the scoreline could have been greater had it not been for the frame of the goal and strong hands from United custodian Liam Jahn.
After going two down Bradwell did rally and had a couple of opportunities to get back into the game, however a third goal midway through the second half killed off their resistance, and a second penalty of the afternoon put the game to bed.
Belstone took the lead on eight minutes and all from a United attack that broke down, a cross field pass picked out Salami to the right of goal, he advanced to the edge of the six-yard box from where his low drive deflected off Jahn and bounced over the line.
It was almost two when a pull back from the byline saw Lobjoit thump goalwards only for the ball to bounce down off the underside of the bar, a defender in the right place at the right time to hoist away to safety.
But the advantage was doubled on twenty-six minutes, a Salami run into the box saw his attempted cross rebound off Peter Maxey, as both went to retrieve a nudge from the defender saw the midfielder go down and the referee point to the spot, from where Lobjoit sent Jahn the wrong way.
The Bradwell custodian was to deny a third moments later when a Lobjoit cross eluded everyone in the crowded area but unmarked at the back post Remel Larwood managed a thumping header that saw the keeper having to use both hands to push away.
At the opposite end Bradwell created a few half chances, a Scott Valentine free kick was straight at Connor Freeman in the Belstone goal whilst a looping header from Jack Clarkson was comfortably gathered before it crept in the top corner.
The Belstone keeper & defence had to make a crucial double block at the start of the second half as their opponents threatened early after the restart, but a killer third goal arrived at the mid-way point to see off any hope that Old Bradwell had.
A long clearance down the right saw Salami away on goal again, holding off the close attentions of Ewan Keene his low drive across the face of goal into the far bottom corner saw plenty of celebration on and off the pitch.
Moments later Lanre Adebiyi & Larwood competed on the eighteen-yard line to get on the end of a free kick, the latter trying to stand his ground lent forward and as the ball came over it hit the defender on the arm, the whistle sounded and once again Lobjoit sent Jahn the wrong way. F/T: 0-4
Attendance: 163
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