Non-League and Academy football writer

In the final of the 2024/25 edition of the Somali British Champions League, Hilltop and FC Olympia would face one another in Bristol on late Sunday afternoon. Taking place at Oaklands Park Stadium, two quality sides, with Hilltop of London, and FC Olympia of Birmingham, going head to head for the prestigious title of being SBCL champions, after having started the competition almost a year ago. This seasons SBCL winners were Hilltop, who created history in this highly competitive final, by becoming the first ever team to win the competition twice, with Hilltop winning the final 2-1.

Started at a good pace, it was FC Olympia who created the first chance of the final. A lofted forward pass would find Fahme Ibrahim’s run, in behind of the Hilltop defence, and he would travel forward down the right-hand side of the Hilltop penalty area with the ball, although he was closely followed by a Hilltop defender. Ibrahim’s powerful resulting effort would go over the crossbar however, from an acute angle. A couple of minutes later, and a long Hilltop ball from deep was headed only partially clear by an Olympia defender, to Ali Mohamed, just inside of the penalty area. His effort (on the bounce) would go over the goal.

After a very competitive start to this final, Olympia would start to really impress. The impressive Sam Fitz’s free-kick delivery (from out on the right-hand side of the pitch) and in to the Hilltop penalty area, was met by a teammate, whose glancing header across goal would hit the goalkeeper’s (Ahmed Omar) left-hand post. Then soon afterwards, Olympia would take the lead after scoring the opening goal of the final. Fahme Ibrahim would once again get to a lofted pass down the right-hand side of the Hilltop box. The Olympia centre-forward would hold the ball up well, before going beyond Hilltop defender Hussein Hussein, with the ball. However, he was tripped by Hussein Hussein, with the referee immediately pointing to the penalty spot. Fahme Ibrahim’s resulting powerful and low penalty, would hit the goalkeeper’s right-hand post, before bouncing across and in to the goal, 0-1.

Olympia would look to double their lead before half-time. The influential Fahme Ibrahim would receive a short pass in behind of the Hilltop defence and to the right-hand side of their box. Under pressure from a recovering defender, Ibrahim’s powerful low effort would go narrowly wide of the goal, at Ahmed Omar’s near post. Olympia would continue to play well and effectively during the opening stages of the second half. Sam Fitz’s powerful and moving low effort on the Hilltop goal from over 20 yards out, was gathered by Ahmed Omar in the Hilltop goal. Soon after that effort, and Olympia player Samir Abdullahi would get to a punched clearance from Ahmed Omar, on the edge of the Hilltop penalty area. The Olympia player’s volleyed effort off the pitch, would bounce narrowly wide of the goal.

With Olympia seemingly looking very likely to double their lead, it came as quite a surprise but also to the credit of a very good Hilltop side, who would draw level in the final, still during the relatively early stages of the second half. Hussein Mahdi would help to create the goal, after taking the ball to the left-hand side of the Olympia penalty area, before squaring the ball to a teammate, in the centre of the box. His low effort on goal was blocked on the goal-line by a defender, with the alert Makael Scott then on hand to finish in to the goal from close range, 1-1.

Not only had Hilltop drawn level in this final, but very soon after having scored an equalising goal, they would stun Olympia by taking the lead in the final. Kamaal Nur would receive Hussein Mahdi’s well weighted short pass, in behind of the Olympia defence, to the right-hand side of the penalty area. From a tight angle, Kamaal Nur  would finish powerfully in to the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, 2-1. Hilltop had improved significantly during the second half, but they now had to stay composed, with Olympia really pushing to get back in to the game.

After Sam Fitz had received the ball out on the right-hand side of the pitch, he would cut inside with the ball on to his left foot, before hitting a powerful effort on the Hilltop goal. Heading towards the top right-hand corner of the goal, Fitz’s fine effort was matched by Ahmed Omar, who managed to match it by making a really good outstretched save to push the ball behind for a corner-kick. Around five minutes later, and Sam Fitz would whip a free-kick effort from 20 yards out, which went around the Hilltop wall, as well as going wide of their goal. A couple of minutes later the London club would create a great chance to seal the win. Makael Scott would reach a long pass in behind of the Olympia defence. Through on goal and inside of the penalty area, Scott would hit an effort over the goal, however.

FC Olympia would really push for a very late equaliser, but Hilltop’s defence was well organised and standing strong. Late on in the game and shortly after Abdiwahab Aljaser’s curling effort from the edge of the Hilltop box was gathered by Ahmed Omar, a free-kick was awarded inside of the Hilltop penalty area, to Olympia! The ball was laid off to Fahme Ibrahim, whose powerful effort from close range would go over the wall and the goal. Olympia would desperately try to create one more goalscoring chance during the final minutes of the game, but Hilltop’s excellent game management and defending would not allow them to do so. Many congratulations to Hilltop, on making SBCL history, by winning the 2024/25 seasons SBCL title, and in doing so becoming the first ever team to win the competition on more than one occasion.

This was a really good final, between two quality sides. FC Olympia were undoubtedly the better side in the first half of the final. They created significantly more chances than Hilltop, during the first half. The very impressive Fahme Ibrahim was excellent for them, with the very influential Sam Fitz getting on the ball and creating numerous goalscoring chances for Olympia. I was also impressed with the performance of Olympia’s captain – Mohamed Siad, who did really well in midfield. Olympia did very well for large stages of this final, playing their football well, and to good effect. However, the character in which Hilltop showed during very difficult moments in this final, was tremendous. If Olympia had managed to get that second goal to make it 2-0, then it would have been extremely difficult for Hilltop to win the final. But, two quick and well taken goals from Hilltop, as well as some really good defending late on, meant that it was the London team to whose name would be on this seasons trophy.

For Hilltop, Hussein Mahdi, Makael Scott, and Kamaal Nur all made really good impressions on this final. As did Luqmaan Ibrahim, in midfield – he was awarded the official player of the match award. My player of the match (there were a number of players that I could’ve chosen to award this to) was Hilltop defender Aarush Yogarajan, whose tenacious defending and all-round performance really was impressive. Ahead of the main event on Sunday afternoon, an SBCL Youth match between a London team and the rest of the UK would take place. Both teams were under 18 sides, with the match being won 3-1 by the London team. The London team would start this game the better of the two sides, moving the ball around well. By half-time, they were 2-0 up, courtesy of two fine goals.

The rest of the UK team would improve a lot during the second half of this match, pulling a goal back before really pushing for a late equalising goal. However, a stunning goal from London player Aseel Albrek would secure the win with a brilliant finish from the edge of the penalty area, off the underside of the crossbar, and after Kavar had laid the ball off to him. Kavar was my player of the match, from the first game. He provided two assists, and scored a really well taken goal.

It was a really great occasion yesterday, in which real credit must go to all at the SBCL for making it possible. There was a really good trophy and awards presentation after the final, as well. It was great to see people that I know from non-League and grassroots football, at the final. Such as Yusuf Khalaf, from Wood Lane FC (he was coaching the London youth team for the first game), as well as Ahmed from the SBCL, and Hilltop manager Abdullah Mohamed.