4 – 4 EMSWORTH WIN ON PENALTIES

EMSWORTH TOWN VS RUSHMOOR COMMUNITY

Emsworth started poorly going one down in the first 10 minutes. The Oystermen refusing to let the opportunity of becoming champions of Hampshire slip away rescued a goal through George Rough.

Emsworth then in full control Braden Collins finds Mauro Morais who slots it home and puts the Oystermen into the lead. Dominant Emsworth was getting beyond the Rushmoor defence for fun and saw Micheal Cunningham run through and put Emsowrth 3-1 up.

Rushmoor pulled back a 2nd through a brilliant piece of play from their Harry Rice beating 3 players and finding the next. Halftime came along with it all to play for. Emsworth came out poorly and began the second half as badly as they did the first with Rushmoor coming out the blocks first and equalising for 3-3 Emsworth responded like they always do, with Cunningham running wild in this match he made an explosive run into the box and fires the Town back into the lead for Emsworths 4th of the match!

Emsworth looking good until the 70th minute when Rushmoor we’re starting to throw the kitchen sink at it and did everything they could to stay in this final. After several times banging on the door, they finally unlock Emsworth’s defence and find a 4th. It’s 4-4 and it’s turning into a hell of a County Cup final. A tired Emsworth were doing all they could but it was Rushmoor with the momentum and was inches from scoring on a few occasions.

The full-time whistle and it was straight to penalties.

Emsworth misses their first penalty, Rushmoor scoring their first. It looked like it wasn’t going to be Emsworth’s day until George Perris our penalty specialist keeps Rushmoor out for their second and Rushmoor skied their 3rd. Emsworth needed one more penalty scored to become champions of Hampshire. Top scorer Mauro Morais stepped up after missing his last two penalties in the season and converted. The whole Emsworth squad sprint over to Mauro and the celebrations were delirious but on the pitch and in the stands.

Emsworth have had football teams dating back to the 19th century there and has never been an Emsworth-based side to have lifted a County Cup final at any level until now.

That saw the season to a close, Emsworth Town winning the double and becoming Hampshire Cup champions for the first time.

Man of the Match: Micheal Cunningham

Goal scorers:

Micheal Cunningham x2

Mauro Morais

George Rough