A stoppage time winner from Jake Mignot saw Chingford Athletic Reserves win a very entertaining Essex Alliance Division Two Final against Custom House at Victoria Road,Dagenham.
The two sides had shared fifteen goals in their previous encounters this season so goals were expected in this one. The game started at a fast pace too and within seconds Chingford should of led as they got in front of goal after a flick on but saw the effort smashed over from point blank range. Two minutes later a deep cross to the far post saw Custom House close as a looping volley from that cross glanced off the bar.
A minute after this Chingford went close again as a ball across goal just missed incoming players but in the 8th minute they were to find the breakthrough as a ball played across the box sawTom Kavanagh side foot an effort across keeper Ian Whitmore and into the far corner, and give Chingford an early advantage.
The frenetic nature of the game slowly subsided after a manic opening ten minutes but on 21 minutes Custom House saw a volley from the edge of the box go straight at Chingford keeper Joe Middleweek,who gathered comfortably, before Chingford sent a great ball into the six yard box and saw a Custom House defender just clear over his own bar from yards out.
On the half hour mark Chingford keeper Middleweek tipped wide a superb chipped effort from outside the box in what was Custom House’s best effort at goal since they hit the bar early on, and then three minutes before half time a cross from Custom House saw a free header mis connected with, and the chance was gone. This meant Chingford went into the half time break with a slender one goal lead.
Half Time Chingford Athletic Reserves 1 Custom House 0
So how would the second half fare? Well two minutes into it saw a Chingford corner bundled just wide of the post but then came the equaliser for Custom House as Jamie Wooster was played through and he smashed home with aplomb and this tie was level. Custom House were now looking the better side and nine minutes into the half saw a header across goal cause concern before moments later seeing a volley go just wide of Chingford’s goal.
Chingford slowly doused the flames of the Custom House response and on 64 minutes good football from Chingford saw the eventual cross from a decent position go wide in what was a bit of a waste. However with just under twenty minutes to go the Chingford side were to re take the lead as a ball in from the right saw an unfortunate defender head past keeper Whitmore, who despite getting his hands to the ball, could not prevent it going into the net for an own goal.
However, Custom House responded in spectacular fashion just three minutes later when after some sloppy play from Chingford in midfield, the ball found its way to Paul Wooster, father of Jamie who scored the first equaliser, and he rolled home an effort from the edge of the area and we were back all square once again.
As the game entered it’s final ten minutes a coming together in front of the dugouts saw a mass melee ensue involving most of the players and management from both sides, which hadn’t been in keeping with the contest as a whole which had been played in fairly good spirits. The result was a booking for Custom House as well as their manager Nick Field being sent to the stand.
It had been a very quick paced cup final in most part though and players were going down with cramp as a result so there was bound to be a fair bit of stoppage time, meaning a good chance of a late winner maybe? Custom House then saw themselves go close twice in two minutes, firstly on 86 minutes when a long range free kick just went over, and secondly on 88 minutes as another long range effort was tipped over by Chingford keeper Middleweek.
And then sure enough in the first minute of stoppage time came the winner, and it went to Chingford, as pass into the path of Mignot saw his first time finish from fifteen yards beat Whitmore and send the blue half of Victoria Road wild with delight. They held on for the remainder of stoppage time to record the victory and take the Division Two Cup as a result. A fabulous night’s entertainment and well played both sides.
Full Time Chingford Athletic Reserves 3 Custom House 2
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