Keyworth United 2 v Magdala Amateurs 0 - Notts FA Saturday Junior Cup Final

Wednesday 25th May 2011, at Arnold Town FC
Notts FA Saturday Junior Challenge Cup Final

Keyworth United Reserves (1) 2
(Tom Richards 40, Alex Wolloch 85)
Magdala Amateurs Reserves (0) 0

Admission £2 inc. programme, Attendance 60+

In the white corner Magdala Amateurs in the green corner Keyworth United

When this fixture was originally staged at Carlton Town, a floodlight failure caused it to be abandoned. Thus here we are, just weeks away from the commencement of next terms pre season friendlies, still living it up at the climax of 2010-11, deeply immersed in the thrill of the cut and thrust business end of the cup competitions.
My friend phoned me a few minutes into the game to ask if I'd gone to that meaningless game that was being played tonight between two insignificant little teams that nobody actually cares about.
But I told him "No, I didn't have to travel all that way to watch Scotland v Wales in the end ... I found a cup final that was being played just up the road between two bigger teams instead"

A grass cutter, well more of a sand disturber if truth be told

Keyworth play a division above Magdala and ought to have been favourites to win, especially as they had a pool of first team players who aren't cup tied to fall back on for tonight's cup final squad.
But right up until the 40th minute, when Tom Richards fired United ahead, finally taking his chance at the second attempt, it had pretty much been even Stevens.

In the second half the Amateurs side flashed a number of chances to pull the game level narrowly wide of the target but once more, in a Notts FA final circa 2010-11, it did look as though they would force the issue and extra time was a real possibility.

Offside! Magdala's first half goal didn't count

Sensing that Magdala were getting more and more into the game, the Keyworth manager changed things around and chucked on some fresh legs to have a run at the 'Dala defence. Number 14 (can't read my own scribbled notes here, hence I can't name him) broke away down the right wing with just five minutes remaining, his pinpoint cross invited a precision header from Alex Wolloch who made no mistake from just outside the six yard box ... and Magdala's resistance was finally broken, in spite of them giving it a real go in the second half.

Where are they now? Attilio Lombardo ... formerly with Sampdoria, Juventus,
Lazio and Crystal Palace, now starring for Magdala Amateurs Reserves ;-)

Note, the Keyworth number nine was listed as Alex Wooloch on the team sheet and in the programme, but if you look at their website his name is spelt Woolich on there ... so apologies if I've unwittingly inserted a spelling error.
Whichever spelling is correct it was a well taken goal Alex and very timely too.

See no evil, hear no evil, do no evil ... just evil!

So congratulations Keyworth United on winning an intriguing cup final and commiserations to the gallant runners up.
And for the benefit of the two music taste philistines I travelled with, we don't listen to Genesis and Neil Diamond on Smooth Radio in my car, the ambience around here is far more cheery and upbeat, I knew you'd want to hear it again ;-) ...