So with just a handful of league games left to be played and after one of the more difficult seasons in the history of the Sunday League we came to the showpiece event, the league cup final, and indeed the first Whitelamp Cup Final. Fittingly the best two sides in the Senior Division had made it through giving us hope of a quality contest and so for the first time I set off for Newmarket Town’s ground, the first time I’d ever been there for a morning kick off. It was a pretty chilly morning but at least it was dry as I met up with my old friend Mark, Mr Whitelamp himself, and after a quick fag we searched out a cup of tea and a couple of programmes before returning to the smoking area for at least the beginning of the first half. Kick off was delayed slightly, with the teams striding out a few minutes late and after lining up, the two teams shock hands and Falcons kicked off playing right to left from the perspective of those in the stand.

Falcons were fast out of the blocks and had the early attacking play but failed to create a clear chance and Bar Hill eventually got into the game a little with a first sortie into the Falcons half. It was short-lived as Falcons won back possession and on their next attack they cut a swathe through the middle of Bar Hill’s defence and a neat finish from just outside the six yard box gave the league champions the perfect start and left the league runner’s up looking shell-shocked. The next few minutes were all Falcons as Bar Hill struggled to contain the onslaught and only two good interventions from Joe Egan, the first stopping Nick Impey and the second denying Micky Lambert, kept the score at 1-0. Minutes later a header flashed just wide of the Bar Hill post and it was beginning to feel like a second goal as inevitable. Through on goal Joey Abbs was denied again by Egan in a one-on-one at the expense of a corner and although the delivery was good, Bar Hill got the ball away and eventually to Calum Gawthrope who was tackled late by Micky Lambert, taking away his legs and getting the game’s first caution. As the half wore on Bar Hill gradually had a bit more of the game and a first decent chance came with a direct free kick which although well struck was well wide of the target although it did take a deflection giving Bar Hill their first corner of the game. After this brief spell in attack, Hill were soon on the defensive again and this time a poor challenge close to the penalty area saw the first caution of the game for Bar Hill and a free kick for Falcons. A five man wall seemed enough to cover the near post but a fabulous left-footed strike from Falcons number fourteen swerved around the wall and pinged away off the outside of the post with Joe Egan possibly also getting a touch. Soon after Egan was tested again by Nick Impey who turned well to fire in a low right footed shot which was pushed away for a corner. It was all Falcons and wave after wave of attacks were only just repelled by Bar Hill with Egan still busy and a number of desperate challenges and clearances just keeping the game close in the score-line if not the play. With only a few minutes to go to half time Falcons did double their lead as an attack down the Bar Hill left saw a low shot finally beat Joe Egan and nestle in the far corner of the net.  Even then there was still time for one more Falcons attack and yet again it was foiled by Egan who was pretty much keeping his side in the game before the half ended with Nick Impey on the receiving end of a challenge that left him lying motionless and seemingly in a bad way. Half time came within a minute so Falcons were able to defer making a decision on a substitution and as the sides left the pitch it was evident that the Bar Hill management were going to have to work a miracle to turn this game around.

Both sides were unchanged for the second half, but it was no real surprise to see Nick Impey replaced with Lee Clift just a few minutes in. By then a familiar pattern had been re-established and just a minute later Falcons had the ball in the net again but this time they were denied by an offside decision. The next thing to save Bar Hill was the goalpost as a fierce shot pinged back off the upright and at this point Bar Hill seemed to be leading a charmed life. The game that had been so one sided was at least offering luck to the side chasing the game, and Bar Hill had further reason for optimism as they got a penalty after a clumsy challenge and despite their protests, it was a penalty and Calum Gawthrope stepped up with the chance to give his side real hope. Now I don’t like to see a player take a minimal run up for a penalty, and this one of barely more than a single step didn’t inspire confidence and sure enough not only did Lee Badcock guess the right way, the effort itself went wide of the post and out for a goal-kick. It was a desperate moment and failing to halve the deficit must have been a psychological hammer blow for the Bar Hill team. Even so they didn’t crumble and for a while they made a good game of it and troubled Falcons far more than at any point so far if not really testing Lee Badcock to any serious degree. For a spell of something like ten minutes not much of note happened save a Bar Hill substitution. With just over a quarter of the game to go Falcons launched another speedy attack down the Bar Hill left and Lee Clift drew out Joe Egan before unselfishly squaring the ball to leave an open goal which was incredibly missed as the shot went over the bar. Another amazing let off for Bar Hill but not long after with Lee Clift through on goal again, this time he shot himself and his finish was excellent to make it 3-0. Aside form the odd Bar Hill sortie into the Falcons half the Joe Egan show resumed as he twice foiled Falcons with great saves to keep the score-line respectable. With maybe just over ten minutes to go Falcons got a fourth and this time it was in almost pitiful circumstances. A low cross form the right into the six yard box saw one Bar Hill defender try to clear the ball but he only succeeded in firing it straight onto his team-mates legs and it ricocheted back into the net for an unfortunate own goal. At 4-0 the game was well and truly done and dusted and the last few minutes were largely forgettable as both sides played out time knowing the inevitable outcome.

In a way it was a shame that the final had been so one-sided, one wonders what might have happened had the penalty been scored but even then I think it’s probably unlikely that the outcome would have been any different. With the presentations due, Mark and I made our way to the table with all the trophies on it, and soon after Mark was introduced as “The chap from Whitelamp” which was a bit embarrassing as Mark Page isn’t exactly a hard name to remember! With the officials, then the runners-up Bar Hill, and finally Falcons getting their individual trophies, the league cup itself was presented back to Falcons, as they of course won it the year before, meaning they are the first side to retain the trophy since Italcamb twenty years ago. They are also the first side to do the double since Alcia Athletic seven years ago. They’ve had a tremendous season and one can only congratulate them for that, although I will say once again that Magpies were the only side to beat them all season outside of FA competitions, the worst side in the Senior Division on one day being better than the best side! I also have to offer consolation to Bar Hill, runners-up in two competitions to the same team this season must be hard to take, and I can empathise as well as sympathise as Magpies were twice beaten by Falcons teams in cup finals over the years. Joe Egan was of course my man of the match, and I thought the offcials did really well too which was good to see. That’s pretty much it for this season, there’s still a big game at the top of Division 1B next weekend which will be a promotion decider, and Falcons still have a local derby league game with Sawston Keys to play but otherwise it’s the summer break now for us all to relax, plan and get ready for next season. For anyone who takes the time to read this, have a good summer, and I’ll see you all next September!