Non-League and Academy football writer

At The Maurice Rebak Stadium (Wingate & Finchley FC) on Friday night, both FC Trent Park (of the Barnet Sunday Football League) and AC Milano Reserves (of the Essex Corinthian Sunday Football League) competed to be this seasons’ London Sunday Trophy winners. The final of the prestigious London Sunday Trophy, which both sides gave their absolute all in throughout, was won 4-3 by FC Trent Park.

FC Trent Park would start this county cup final well, going on to take an early lead. As Anthony Constantinou’s lofted pass across had been brought down superbly and with great technique by Ricky Tait, on the left-hand side of the AC Milano penalty area. And after Ricky Tait had brought the ball down skilfully, he would volley a great effort which went low into the AC Milano goal, 1-0. However, AC Milano would respond well as a team, as they managed to draw level soon after. With a corner-kick delivery into the FC Trent Park box, being only partially cleared away, as Kacper Bialek received the ball on the turn just inside the box. His powerful low effort would find the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, 1-1.

A great recovery challenge from AC Milano defender Kofi Boateng would see him do really well to take the ball off Ricky Tait, who was one versus one with the goalkeeper inside of the box. And then a couple of minutes later, a decent whipped free-kick effort from Elias Katsoloudi (on the edge of the AC Milano box) would go wide of AC Milano goalkeeper Shaan Dail’s right-hand post. 

Not long before half-time, FC Trent Park would retake the lead in this competitive cup final. Ricky Tait would receive the ball around 30 yards out from the AC Milano goal, before showing great vision, and playing a perfectly weighted Harry Kane-esque pass on to the run of Elias Katsoloudi. In behind of the AC Milano defence, the very quick Elias Katsoloudi would show good composure in front of goal, to finish low and clinically from inside of the box, 2-1. And FC Trent Park would begin the second half of the game in style, quickly adding a third goal to their tally for the evening. As Elias Katsoloudi’s good corner-kick delivery into the AC Milano box, was glanced into the goal by Ricky Tait, 3-1.

In a highly eventful game of football, AC Milano would respond again to get their second goal of the evening, soon after the resumption of play. Impressive AC Milano player Charles Brown would surge forwards with the ball down the left-hand side of the FC Trent Park penalty area, before lifting the ball over the outrushing Jon Nicholas. The ball was excellently stopped by an FC Trent Park on the goal-line, but Kacper Bialek would finish into the goal from close range on the follow-up, 3-2. However, just as AC Milano Reserves had got back into the game once again, FC Trent Park would reestablish a two goal cushion in this cup final.

For FC Trent Park’s fourth goal of the evening, it was Ricky Tait who was once again involved. As the tall and deep-lying forward would cleverly loop a header following a lofted free-kick into the busy AC Milano box, back across goal to Anthony Constantinou who headed the ball powerfully into the goal off the woodwork, 4-2. And the drama wasn’t to end there, as soon afterwards AC Milano managed to get another goal back, in the game. With the highly skilful Alexander Balisani turning well with the ball from around 25 yards out on goal, before volleying a superb effort, which dipped over the head of Jon Nicholas, and went into the FC Trent Park goal, 4-3.

This very entertaining cup final continued to be played at a great pace, as the second half progressed. A good curling corner-kick delivery from Zacharias George Uribarri, would be cleared only as far away as a teammate, whose volleyed effort on goal was well kept out and saved by Shaan Dail, before an AC Milano defender would clear the ball behind for a corner-kick.

Ricky Tait was really showing his class on the pitch for FC Trent Park. And after doing well to drive forwards with the ball from midfield, he would play the ball forward to Bairoh Bundu, who just in behind the AC Milano defence and through on goal inside of their penalty area, would hit a low effort narrowly wide, across the goal. Next, and at the opposite end of the pitch, Charles Brown would meet Alexander Balisani’s low cross to the back post of the FC Trent Park goal. However, his effort on goal from close range was really well saved by Jon Nicholas. 

Influential FC Trent Park substitute Bairoh Bundu would continue to influence the latter stages of the game well. And after having done really well to work the space by the byline down the left-hand side of the AC Milano box, he would get a curling effort away on goal from a tight angle, which was turned behind by Shaan Dail, at his near post. AC Milano Reserves would really push for a late leveller, but the FC Trent Park defence would stand strong, as they saw out the final minutes of the game, to win the London Sunday Trophy final.

All in all it was an excellent game of football. I thought that FC Trent Park, who were the more creative side on the night, deserved to win the game. However, AC Milano Reserves also showed a lot of quality, in a very well contested game of football. There were a number of contenders for my player of the match award on Friday. With Ricky Tait, Elias Katsoloudi, Niall Redguard, Kacper Bialek and Charles Brown all very much contenders. But, with two goals, two assists and an outstanding performance, Ricky Tait was my player of the match from this memorable cup final. Congratulations to FC Trent Park, on becoming this seasons’ London Sunday Trophy winners.