Non-League and Academy football writer

In the final of this seasons’ (2025/26) Islington Midweek Football League Tom Keane Memorial Trophy, two Premier Division sides, in Macwo and NK Dons, faced each other at Market Road Pitches on Tuesday evening. In what promised to be a really interesting cup final, it was Macwo who won the game 4-1, to become this seasons’ Tom Keane Memorial Trophy winners. 

Early on in this cup final and NK Dons forward Max Beard would get to a long ball, in behind the Macwo defence. However, from the right-hand side of the Macwo penalty area his powerful effort on goal was really well blocked behind by Macwo defender, Khalid Babikir. Macwo would soon start to grow into the game, and after Danyaal Iqbal’s effort (after he had received a short pass inside the NK Dons box) had been well turned behind by Sam Collins, Macwo would go on to take the lead. As Danyaal Iqbal’s lofted free-kick delivery from out on the right-hand side of the pitch was volleyed home, from inside of the NK Dons penalty area, by Alex Levi, 1-0.

Macwo would look to build on them taking a relatively early lead in the game, and after Adam Adam had cut inside with the ball out on the left flank, before whipping  a good effort (from distance) narrowly wide of the NK Dons goal, before half-time they would go close to making it 2-0. The creative Blessing Homb would show some good skill with the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch, before then pulling the ball back for Danyaal Iqbal, who would shift the ball out of his feet well, on the edge of the box. His resulting, powerful effort was well saved though, by Sam Collins.

Impressive NK Dons midfielder Kacper Bialek would, during the opening minutes of the second half, power a good, low first time effort on the Macwo goal (from 20 yards out) which was gathered by their goalkeeper, Fabio Suarez, before Macwo doubled their advantage. Anton Vorukov’s excellently weighted, lofted pass from deep would find the run of Blessing Homb, who from the edge of the NK Dons box, would finish a difficult chance really well, with a good lob over the outrushing Sam Collins and into the goal, 2-0.

The next goal of the game was also scored by Macwo, with the skilful Danyaal Iqbal showing great close control as he took the ball towards the edge of the NK Dons penalty area, before laying the ball off for Alex Foord, whose powerful low effort found the back of the net, 3-0. And Macwo would essentially seal the win with a fourth goal relatively soon after, and following some good game management. As substitute Matthew Gayle, would receive a great, lofted pass from deep, out on the left flank. And following a good bit of pace and skill to work the ball beyond a defender inside of the NK Dons box, Matthew Gayle’s resulting powerful and low, whipped effort, would find the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, 4-0.

A loose defensive pass from Macwo (soon after play had resumed, following the fourth goal of the game) would allow Max Beard to get a goal back in the game for NK Dons, as he finished low (from outside the Macwo box) into the goal beyond Fabio Suarez who was off his goal-line, 4-1. However, overall this was a very efficient and deserved win for Macwo in the cup final, and they are a team who have really impressed me whenever I have seen them during this season. Many congratulations to Macwo on their victory, and there were some really good performances, in what was a real team performance from them on Tuesday.

With two important assists and some really good play on the ball, Danyaal Iqbal was my player of the match tonight. It was a very good performance from him, but also from their captain, Khalid Babikir, and the very influential Blessing Homb, as well.