On Wednesday 19th April Basford United FC played host to the Nottinghamshire FA Sunday Intermediate Cup Final between Kimberley Miners Welfare FC and Clifton Dynamo FC.
Kimberley seemed to have started strong immediately after kick off and were on the front foot, pressing Clifton in their own half. This resulted in a free kick in a dangerous area, but unfortunately Josh Stevenson couldn’t convert his efforts.
Clifton were patient and continued to defend well, which gradually saw Kimberley make crucial errors, particularly down their left hand side. Clifton however, could only produce a shot off target, and a corner which was kicked out of play.
The first corner for Kimberley came on 13 minutes and they were unlucky not to get a goal, as their header glanced over the bar. This was the first real sign of threat from either sides.
20 minutes before half-time Clifton were really taking advantage of their possession and were using the ball well to create space, especially for their wingers who continued to put low crosses into the Kimberley box. Clifton’s Ben Clark produced their first shot on target but it was a comfortable save for Luke West in goal.
A short spell of pressure came from Kimberley in the final 10 minutes with Scott Carlile producing their first shot on target. Jordan Pinder continued to press the Clifton defence and looked for the through balls from midfield. Unfortunately two consecutive offside decisions seemed to agitate Kimberley.
Scott Litchfield of Clifton produced the last attacking play of the half as he tried to weave his way through a tight Kimberley defence but the ball was scrambled out as Kimberley maintained their clean sheet.
The game was 0-0 at half-time.
Simon Morgan who is part of Clifton All Whites FC committee, was in attendance at the game, he is cycling from Barnsley to Amsterdam on June 9th to raise money and awareness for Men United http://menunited.prostatecanceruk.org/ which is for Prostate Cancer UK. If you would like to donate please see the following link; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/happynuggetsonabike. Simon will be at most County Cup Finals ran by The Nottinghamshire Football Association.
Clifton continued the second half as they finished the first, and they were unlucky not to score within the first minute as Luke West saved a one-on-one effort.
Scott Litchfield was there again as he broke the deadlock on 50 minutes after converting a corner, which was headed into the box by Liam Motson. 1-0 to Clifton!
Following the goal, both sides went a little quiet with no real threat on either goal.
Clifton started to re-apply more pressure in the final 15 minutes of the game as they were awarded four consecutive corners, with the fourth one being cleared off the line by Kimberley. Luke West was there again as he pulled off a fantastic reaction save in the final few minutes.
Kimberley had their chances with a corner and some nice play down both wings, however they couldn’t find an equaliser to what seemed to be a frustrating night for them.
The final whistle came and Clifton Dynamo FC were crowned The Nottinghamshire FA Sunday Intermediate Cup Champions as they beat Kimberley Miners Welfare FC 1-0 after 90 minutes.
Josh Stevenson of Kimberley Miners Welfare FC was awarded Man of the Match which was voted for by the referees.
Match report courtesy of Clare Hayes, member of Nottinghamshire FA Youth Council.
Photographs courtesy of Alexandra Johnson. Photography www.alexandrajohnsonphotography.co.uk @ASJphotography