BOATMEN LIFT NOTTS FA INTERMEDIATE CUP

Notts FA Intermediate Cup Final

AFC DUNKIRK 4 BASFORD UNITED COMMUNITY FC 3

played at Eastwood Community FC

A gripping end to end Cup Final saw AFC Dunkirk run out victors 4-3. The game began with Community looking the better side and went ahead after just 3 minutes, when a ZAIRE BIRCHALL-JACKSON bullet shot hit the back of the net.

Basford pushed forward and a cross from the left saw a forward narrowly connect with the goal gaping on 18 minutes and this seemed to be the turning point of the match, as the next Dunkirk attack on 20 minutes saw TIM BERRIDGE knock home the equaliser.

This seemed to throw Dunkirk the confidence they needed and within a minute, they took the lead, when TIM BERRIDGE;s looping shot ducked over the Basford keeper to put his side in to the lead.

On 22 minutes, Dunkirk extended their lead to 3-1 when GEORGE HARRISION netted to the delight of the Boatmen crowd. After 38 minutes, Basford thought they were back in the game, but the referee spotted a push in the Dunkirk defender and ruled out a Basford goal.

On the hour, Basford were in fact back in the game, when a long range thunderbolt shot by BETTISON PAIXAO was rifled in to the net to reduce his sides arrears.

On 78 minutes, the Community side pushed forward and were on level terms when MALCOLM PODIER;s low show nestled in to the net to even things up at 3-3 and it was game on.

Both sides continued to press forward to avoid extra time and after 84 minutes, Harry Wakefield broke through and was bought down for a penalty by the Community keeper and SAMUEL HARBOTTLE stepped up and dispatched the penalty to win the cup for the Boatmen.

A superb match which was a credit for both clubs that ply their trace in the Precision Nottinghamshire Senior Football League.

The Charity Blog had some excellent news this morning, when a groundhopper Graham Moseley kindly sent a donation of £71.00 for MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE at Nottingham City Hospital, so with the 7 goals as well at this evenings final, it takes the running total to a massive £564.65p