Kitcheners triumph in Sunday Cup again
KITCHENER Taverners made it two wins in four seasons in the Rushmere Golf Club Suffolk Sunday Cup.
They defeated AFC Bergholt, who were appearing in the showpiece occasion for the first time, 2-0 in the final at AFC Sudbury on Sunday.
A goal in each half from Jacob Lay and Asa Millard ensured a comfortable victory over AFC Bergholt, who had to play most of the second half with ten men after Matt Oxbrow was sent off.
Captain Anton Clarke came within a whisker of giving Kitchener Taverners the lead after 29 minutes when he curled a 25-yard free-kick over the defensive wall only to see it strike the underside of the crossbar and bounce out.
However, they went ahead a minute later when his brother Ethan Clarke got to the byline on the right and cut the ball back for Jacob Lay, who caused problems with his trickery all afternoon, to sweep home.
Jacob Lay (red shirt, No.45) sees his shot beat the despairing dive of AFC Bergholt keeper Sam Rose to put Kitchener Taverners 1-0 ahead in the Rushmere Golf Club Suffolk Sunday Cup Final at AFC Sudbury. Main photograph: Kitchener Taverners celebrate with the cup. Photographs: Paul Voller
AFC Bergholt, whose task was already a difficult one in a match played in searing heat, were reduced to ten men after 56 minutes when Oxbrow collected two yellow cards for fouls in the space of three minutes.
Kitchener Taverners doubled their advantage after 67 minutes when Millard, who held the ball up well throughout, received a pass in the box, held off a defender and squeezed his shot underneath goalkeeper Sam Rose.
Jacob Lay (red shirt, left) is congratulated after putting Kitchener Taverners 1-0 ahead in the Rushmere Golf Club Suffolk Sunday Cup Final at AFC Sudbury. Photograph: Paul Voller
They never looked in any danger of letting their grip on the game loosen and their fellow Ipswich Sunday Football League Premier Division outfit failed to muster a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Kitchener Taverners could have sealed a more emphatic victory in the closing stages but both Ethan Clarke and Charlie Warren lifted clear-cut chances over the crossbar from close range.
Bob Tawell represented competition sponsors Rushmere Golf Club at the presentation ceremony.
The Teams
AFC Bergholt: Sam Rose, Daniel Hutchison, Matt Oxbrow, Josh Merritt, Jordan Mussington, Alex Prime, Erlon Parris, Sean Caley, Ben Prime, Ben Magor, Yani Duka. Used subs: Marius Aitkens, Jordan Crocker, Lamar Bennett-Grant, Perrie Soanes, Marcus Josiah.
Kitchener Taverners: Josh Hender, Lloyd Clarke, Aaron West, Anton Clarke, Remeul Codrington, Ivan Buxton, Jack Baker, Tevan Allen, Jacob Lay, Ethan Clarke, Asa Millard. Used subs: Charlie Warren, Byron Ingham, Jerome Ingham, Zhenn Young, Marcus Folkes.
Referee: Louis Dawson.
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