Staffordshire FA Sam Kimberley Trophy Final
Thursday 19th April 2018
at Brocton FC

Cresswell Wanderers 0 Charlie Bassett’s 2

On a warm evening at Silkmore Lane the North and South area winners met to decide the winners of this season’s Sam Kimberley Trophy.

Prior to kick-off the respective team captains were presented with their shield to mark winning their area competitions by Staffordshire FA’s George Singh before the real action got underway with the sunshine a welcome addition to our cup final programme.

The game kicked off at a frantic pace with both sides determined to make an early breakthrough and, while clear chances were limited, Cresswell looked the most likely to open the scoring and went close with a downward header from a corner that bounced over the crossbar from eight yards out inside a crowded goalmouth.

Shortly after it was Charlie Bassett’s who took the lead when a scramble in the penalty area saw Christos Georgiou swivel inside the six yard box and stroke the ball into the bottom corner for a 10th minute lead.

They almost doubled that lead but were denied twice by the woodwork shortly after when it looked odds on they would go two goals ahead, the initial shot hitting Jordan Heath hitting the underside of the bar and the follow up header hitting almost the exact same spot as Cresswell’s goal led a charmed life.

They almost paid the price for that miss when Bassett’s keeper Luke Morris came to collect a ball just outside the area and he almost misjudged the roll of the ball as he tried to guide it back into the box but Reece Minton just failed to nick the ball away for Cresswell.

It was end to end stuff as the tempo showed no sign of dropping despite the warm conditions and Cresswell saw a shot deflected over on the half our mark with the corner kick coming to nothing.

Then, from nothing, Bassett’s increased their lead with just four minutes to go in the opening half.

Jordan Heath dispossessed Ben Smith on the edge of his own box and set off on a run that took him just inside the Cresswell box before confidently firing home to double the lead and put them within touching sight of the trophy.

Cresswell keeper Josh Moreton was under pressure from set pieces as the half came to a close but he was up to the challenge and kept the scoreline at 2-0 going into the half-time interval dealing with a number of dangerous crosses into the box.

The second half saw Bassett’s defending their advantage while their opponents tried to find a route back into the game but they were unable to create too many clear opportunities.

As the half progressed Bassett’s remained in control of the game and, despite passion and commitment from both sides, the scoreline remained the same and the City Traders League side ran out winners of the 2017/18 Sam Kimberley Trophy.

Congratulations to both sides on a competitive final and a big thanks to all who came to support their teams on a lovely evening at Brocton, in stark contrast to the weather issues faced earlier in the month.

All that was left was for captain .. to lift the trophy as the celebrations began in the Northern half of Staffordshire.