Non-League and Academy football writer

The Gun Pub and the current holders of this county cup, HMT Samsunspor, faced each other in the final of this seasons’ Middlesex FA Sunday Intermediate Cup, on Sunday morning at Bedfont Sports Club. The Gun Pub play their football in the Camden Sunday Football League, with HMT Samsunspor playing their football in the Barnet Sunday Football League. It was The Gun Pub, who despite being 1-0 down, would win this cup final 2-1.

After a competitive and closely contested opening start to the game on a warm day, it was The Gun Pub who created the first real chance of this cup final. With Steve Gray hitting a first time effort (on the half-volley) wide of the HMT Samsunspor goal, following Charlie Day’s cross from the left flank, into the penalty area. However, just past the 20 minute mark in the game, and HMT Samsunspor would take the lead. Terryl Harding-Nathan would receive the ball around 15-20 yards out from goal, before playing a short through-ball pass towards the run of Papa Ndiaye, who through on goal and just in behind the other team’s defence, would finish into the bottom left-hand corner of Connor Murphy’s goal, 0-1.

HMT Samsunspor would create a couple more decent openings during the remainder of the first half, before The Gun Pub came very close to drawing level, before half-time. Charlie Day would play a quick pass across to Steve Gray on the left-hand side of the HMT Samsunspor box. In a bit of space, his low first time curling effort on goal was well parried by Ismail Mazi, with Alex Bernes putting the ball over on the follow-up, and from close range.

During the early stages of the second half, it was HMT Samsunspor who were managing the game and their lead well, but The Gun Pub were really starting to push the Barnet Sunday Football League, going forwards. And around 22 minutes into the second half, The Gun Pub would draw level in the cup final. Harry Clarke would get to the ball, following a lofted forward pass. And the skilful winger would surge forwards with the ball, taking it beyond a HMT Samsunspor defender inside of their half of the pitch, and then taking the ball into the box. Where one versus one with the goalkeeper, Ismail Mazi, he would keep his composure, finishing into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, 1-1.

The Gun Pub were by this point in the game, looking the more likely side to find a winner in regulation time. Following a lofted free-kick delivery (from deep) by Carter Gill, towards the back post of the HMT Samsunspor goal, the ball would fall for Louis Cross. His looping effort back across goal was well tipped over his crossbar by the alert Ismail Mazi. And then fast forwards to approximately the 88th minute of the game, and The Gun Pub would find a late winning goal, and it was Harry Clarke with his second goal of the game. Harry Clarke would latch onto the ball just inside his own half of the pitch, before showing a clever piece of skill to work the ball in behind the HMT Samsunspor defensive line. Now through on goal but with a lot of ground to make up, he would show good pace to take the ball into the penalty area, where he once again showed good composure, to finish low into the goal, 2-1.

During second half stoppage time, Harry Clarke would hit a powerful first time effort from over 30 yards out, narrowly wide of the HMT Samsunspor goal, with Ismail Mazi just out of his goal. In the end however, it was The Gun Pub who would lift this prestigious county cup, after a very good and effective second half team performance. In what was a game of not very many clear goalscoring chances, it was a closely contested first half of football, which HMT Samsunspor would edge by getting the opening goal of the game. But, The Gun Pub would recover well, and in a game between two fine sides, it was them who went on to be the better team during the second half. However, it was a very competitive cup final.

For my overall player of the match award, it goes to the very skilful Harry Clarke, who scored two fine goals. And for HMT Samsunspor, I thought that their player of the match was their central-midfielder and scorer of their only goal of the game, Papa Ndiaye. Many congratulations to The Gun Pub on winning this county cup final.