Non-League and Academy football writer

The final of the 2025/26 season’s edition of the prestigious Middlesex FA Intermediate Cup, was played between Winchmore Hill, of the SAL, and Stonewall FC, of the Middlesex County Football League, on Wednesday evening at Bedfont Sports Club. Both fine sides from their respective leagues, in what was a good and competitive cup final, Winchmore Hill won 2-0 on Wednesday.

After a somewhat cagey start to this cup final, which saw both sides create some decent early openings, it was Winchmore Hill who created the first real goalscoring chance of the final. As Josh Stibbs managed to get a low effort away, from distance. However, the Winchmore Hill number 10’s effort would go wide of Dennis Aware’s goal. Following on from that early effort, and Winchmore Hill player Elliott Drage’s low cross into the Stonewall box, from out on the right-hand side of the pitch, was met on the volley by Tom King. His volleyed effort on goal was really well pushed behind at his near post, by Dennis Aware.

As this cagey cup final between two well organised sides progressed, Winchmore Hill would, some time later, create another chance. With Josh Gunter skilfully rolling the ball beyond a Stonewall defender down the left flank, before taking the ball into the Stonewall box, where his low effort on goal was well kept out at his near post by Dennis Aware. Not too long before half-time, Winchmore Hill substitute Charlie Bullen’s dipping effort, from 25 yards out on goal, would go narowly over the Stonewall goal.

Early on in the second half, Stonewall defender Seb Morally’s lofted pass would find Yusuf Isiaq out on the left flank, before he took the ball inside the Winchmore Hill penalty area, and hit a low effort wide of Barney Jones’ goal. Next, and Winchmore Hill player Josh Gunter would get to a clever flick on down the left flank, before driving forwards with the ball down the left-hand side of the Stonewall box. Josh Gunter’s resulting low effort across goal was well and importantly saved by Dennis Aware, stopping Winchmore Hill player Tom King from being able to tap the ball into the goal at the back post. 

Midway into the second half, and a ricochet off a Stonewall player would result in defender James Motley having to make a crucial last ditch challenge on Charlie Bullen, inside the Stonewall box. However, in the 73rd minute of this county cup final, Winchmore Hill would take the lead. A goal-kick which had been taken by a Stonewall defender, would be met by Winchmore Hill player Josh Gunter, who took the ball forwards at pace down the left-hand side of the Stonewall box. His powerful effort on goal was parried by Dennis Aware, with Josh Stibbs bravely sliding in, to finish into the goal from close range, 1-0.

As Stonewall tried to draw level late on in the final, Yusuf Isiaq would meet a deep cross towards the back post of Barney Jones’ goal. However, Yusuf Isiaq’s headed effort on goal would be gathered by the Winchmore Hill goalkeeper. Then in the fourth minute of second half additional time, Winchmore Hill’s captain, Alex Bexon, would get on the ball on the left-hand side of the pitch. And from around 27 yards out on goal, his powerful and well hit low effort would find the bottom left-hand corner of the Stonewall goal, 2-0. Winchmore Hill would defend their goal impeccably during the final minutes of the game, as they had done during the whole game, to make sure of the 2-0 win, and their name on this season’s trophy.

This was a very well disciplined performance from Winchmore Hill, of the quality SAL, who deserved their win, in my opinion, against a well organised Stonewall side, who also defended well. My Stonewall player of the match was their defender, Seb Morally, but for my overall player of the match award, there were a number of contenders from the Winchmore Hill side. Josh Stibbs won the official player of the match award, and he had a really fine game. However, Josh Gunter, Charlie Bullen and Tom Corfe were all real contenders. Although personally, my player of the match from this final was commanding Winchmore Hill defender Kalil Rouse, whose reading of the game was also very good. Congratulations to Winchmore Hill on winning the cup final!