Eight Winners Crowned in County Cup Weekender
The weekend of 12, 13 and 14 May saw a total of 16 teams come together to compete in Cumberland Football Association’s annual County Cup...
Over the course of the three days of football, entry to games was free with Cumberland FA instead asking spectators to donate to Tony Hopper’s ‘Fighting Back’ Fund, which is supporting the former Carlisle United midfielder’s battle against Motor Neurone Disease.
Across all of Cumberland FA’s County Cup finals – a total of £1,740.77 has been raised.
Under-18 County Cup Final
Crown Newlaithes U18 2 Crown Newlaithes U17 0
Gillford Park Stadium, Friday 12 May
The U18 County Cup Final became an all-Crown Newlaithes affair, as the club’s under-18s took on its under-17s in front of a 100-strong crowd. In an entertaining game, it was the elder of the two sides that started brightest and took the lead early on through Seth Wright, who met Brady Wiser’s cross at the far post. Although the under-17s enjoyed periods of possession, the under-18s were clinical and doubled their lead after Hayden Wilson finished following excellent work by Charlie Osgood.
Under-18 County Plate Final
Northbank U18 1 Cleator Moor Celtic U18 3
McGrath Park, Friday 12 May
A new competition this season, formed to provide more fixtures for under-18 teams following early exit from the County Cup; the inaugural U18 County Plate final saw Cleator Moor Celtic’s clinical finishing become key. Despite Northbank coming close to opening the game’s scoring, it was Celtic’s Wetherill that stole the limelight, with the forward grabbing two goals in quick succession to put Cleator Moor in command. 10 minutes from full-time, Wetherill completed his hat-trick which, despite a consolation from Northbank late on, ensured that the Plate would be Celtic’s.
U12 Boys’ County Cup Final
Carlisle City JFC U12 3 Carlisle City JFC U12 Whites 4
Gillford Park Stadium, Saturday 13 May
Once again, two teams from the same club faced off in a junior County Cup final – and this was arguably the game of the weekend with a total of seven goals scored. A crazy spell early on saw Luis Metcalf’s half-volley give the City U12 side the lead, before Kai Lamb immediately levelled for the Whites from the re-start. In an end-to-end game, the Whites then took the lead courtesy of Charlie Thomson on 13 minutes. However, on the stroke of half-time, City equalised as Metcalf grabbed his second of the game to make the score 2-2 at the break. The second half was played in the same vein, with City’s Danny Kendal scoring direct from a corner to regain the lead. As soon as City took an advantage though, the Whites pegged them back, with Lamb getting his second of the match from distance shortly after. As the game looked destined for extra-time, the Whites stole the win in the dying minutes as Thomson also sealed his brace with a fine finish.
U14 Boys’ County Cup Final
Castletown U14 United 1 Workington Reds Juniors U14 Black 1 (aet) – Castletown win 4-3 on pens
Gillford Park Stadium, Saturday 13 May
Following an incredibly tight game, which remained level after extra-time, Castletown U14 United won the U14 Boys’ County Cup final on penalties. Castletown took the lead in the first half through Andrew Bell, who tapped in from close range. However, Workington were the stronger of the two sides and grabbed their deserved equaliser courtesy of Ciaran Poultney. A terrific save by Luke Knowles denied Castletown the win in extra time, as the encounter went to the decisive shoot-out. Castletown’s goalkeeper Tom Birkett then became the hero, as his save clinched the cup for his team.
U16 Boys’ County Cup Final
Carlisle City JFC U16s 1 Upperby Park U16 4
Gillford Park Stadium, Saturday 13 May
Upperby Park put in a dominant performance to lift the U16 Boys’ County Cup, with skipper Robbie Cowley’s early opener providing a platform to build on. However Carlisle City grew into the game and grabbed an equaliser after 19 minutes as Brendan Box-Gill’s deflected header finished by Nathan Johnstone. Upperby re-took the lead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of an overhead kick by Ben Palmer. Second-half strikes from Adam Bulman and Euan Chandler later sealed the victory for Upperby.
U12 Girls’ County Cup Final
Northbank Juniors U12 Girls 1970 3 Whitehaven AFC Juniors U12 Girls 2 (aet)
Gillford Park Stadium, Sunday 14 May
In what was the game of the day on the climactic day of the County Cup Weekender, Northbank Juniors U12 Girls 1970 defeated Whitehaven AFC Juniors U12 Girls 3-2 after extra time to lift the U12 Girls’ County Cup Final. Abigail Lamb gave Whitehaven an early lead, before 1970’s Sadie Skinner scored the goal of the weekend; picking up the ball inside the Whitehaven half before running and beating two players ahead of curling an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. Despite Whitehaven taking the lead early in the second half via Kacie Gillespie, a late strike by Skinner sent the game into extra-time. It was 1970’s Darcie Dixon who scored the decisive goal in a hard-fought encounter, which handed Northbank the Cup.
U14 Girls’ County Cup Final
Allerdale Girls U14 1 Carlisle City Juniors U14 Girls 5
Gillford Park Stadium, Sunday 14 May
Carlisle City Juniors U14 Girls were forced to weather a storm before running out comfortable winners against a determined Allerdale Girls. Zoe Tweddle gave City an early lead, which was soon doubled by Lucy Cook. However, Caitlin Irving’s goal on the cusp of half time provided a wake-up call to City, as Allerdale reduced the deficit. City responded ruthlessly as Tweddle sealed a brace and Cook completed her hat-trick to ensure Carlisle City lifted the U14 Girls’ County Cup.
U16 Girls’ County Cup Final
Allerdale Girls U16 2 Penrith AFC Juniors U16 Girls Diamonds 2 (aet. Allerdale win 4-3 on pens)
Gillford Park Stadium, Sunday 14 May
The U16 Girls’ County Cup Final saw the Women’s League U16 League champions, Penrith, take on League Cup winners Allerdale in a closely contested final. Leah Harrison opened the scoring for Allerdale, with Penrith responding quickly via Danielle Brown’s half-volley. The Diamonds then took the lead on the stroke of half time, as Amy Norman forced the ball home from close range. Allerdale had work to do in the second half and got the job done quickly, as the ball was turned into the net by a Diamonds defender early on. Whilst both sides had a chance to win the game in extra time, the match went to penalties, with Allerdale’s Emily Carruthers in goal becoming the hero as she saved the decisive spot-kick.
Further photos can be found via www.facebook.com/cumberlandfa and can be purchased via www.wittwoo.com/football
Across all of Cumberland FA’s County Cup finals – a total of £1,740.77 has been raised.
Under-18 County Cup Final
Crown Newlaithes U18 2 Crown Newlaithes U17 0
Gillford Park Stadium, Friday 12 May
The U18 County Cup Final became an all-Crown Newlaithes affair, as the club’s under-18s took on its under-17s in front of a 100-strong crowd. In an entertaining game, it was the elder of the two sides that started brightest and took the lead early on through Seth Wright, who met Brady Wiser’s cross at the far post. Although the under-17s enjoyed periods of possession, the under-18s were clinical and doubled their lead after Hayden Wilson finished following excellent work by Charlie Osgood.
Under-18 County Plate Final
Northbank U18 1 Cleator Moor Celtic U18 3
McGrath Park, Friday 12 May
A new competition this season, formed to provide more fixtures for under-18 teams following early exit from the County Cup; the inaugural U18 County Plate final saw Cleator Moor Celtic’s clinical finishing become key. Despite Northbank coming close to opening the game’s scoring, it was Celtic’s Wetherill that stole the limelight, with the forward grabbing two goals in quick succession to put Cleator Moor in command. 10 minutes from full-time, Wetherill completed his hat-trick which, despite a consolation from Northbank late on, ensured that the Plate would be Celtic’s.
U12 Boys’ County Cup Final
Carlisle City JFC U12 3 Carlisle City JFC U12 Whites 4
Gillford Park Stadium, Saturday 13 May
Once again, two teams from the same club faced off in a junior County Cup final – and this was arguably the game of the weekend with a total of seven goals scored. A crazy spell early on saw Luis Metcalf’s half-volley give the City U12 side the lead, before Kai Lamb immediately levelled for the Whites from the re-start. In an end-to-end game, the Whites then took the lead courtesy of Charlie Thomson on 13 minutes. However, on the stroke of half-time, City equalised as Metcalf grabbed his second of the game to make the score 2-2 at the break. The second half was played in the same vein, with City’s Danny Kendal scoring direct from a corner to regain the lead. As soon as City took an advantage though, the Whites pegged them back, with Lamb getting his second of the match from distance shortly after. As the game looked destined for extra-time, the Whites stole the win in the dying minutes as Thomson also sealed his brace with a fine finish.
U14 Boys’ County Cup Final
Castletown U14 United 1 Workington Reds Juniors U14 Black 1 (aet) – Castletown win 4-3 on pens
Gillford Park Stadium, Saturday 13 May
Following an incredibly tight game, which remained level after extra-time, Castletown U14 United won the U14 Boys’ County Cup final on penalties. Castletown took the lead in the first half through Andrew Bell, who tapped in from close range. However, Workington were the stronger of the two sides and grabbed their deserved equaliser courtesy of Ciaran Poultney. A terrific save by Luke Knowles denied Castletown the win in extra time, as the encounter went to the decisive shoot-out. Castletown’s goalkeeper Tom Birkett then became the hero, as his save clinched the cup for his team.
U16 Boys’ County Cup Final
Carlisle City JFC U16s 1 Upperby Park U16 4
Gillford Park Stadium, Saturday 13 May
Upperby Park put in a dominant performance to lift the U16 Boys’ County Cup, with skipper Robbie Cowley’s early opener providing a platform to build on. However Carlisle City grew into the game and grabbed an equaliser after 19 minutes as Brendan Box-Gill’s deflected header finished by Nathan Johnstone. Upperby re-took the lead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of an overhead kick by Ben Palmer. Second-half strikes from Adam Bulman and Euan Chandler later sealed the victory for Upperby.
U12 Girls’ County Cup Final
Northbank Juniors U12 Girls 1970 3 Whitehaven AFC Juniors U12 Girls 2 (aet)
Gillford Park Stadium, Sunday 14 May
In what was the game of the day on the climactic day of the County Cup Weekender, Northbank Juniors U12 Girls 1970 defeated Whitehaven AFC Juniors U12 Girls 3-2 after extra time to lift the U12 Girls’ County Cup Final. Abigail Lamb gave Whitehaven an early lead, before 1970’s Sadie Skinner scored the goal of the weekend; picking up the ball inside the Whitehaven half before running and beating two players ahead of curling an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. Despite Whitehaven taking the lead early in the second half via Kacie Gillespie, a late strike by Skinner sent the game into extra-time. It was 1970’s Darcie Dixon who scored the decisive goal in a hard-fought encounter, which handed Northbank the Cup.
U14 Girls’ County Cup Final
Allerdale Girls U14 1 Carlisle City Juniors U14 Girls 5
Gillford Park Stadium, Sunday 14 May
Carlisle City Juniors U14 Girls were forced to weather a storm before running out comfortable winners against a determined Allerdale Girls. Zoe Tweddle gave City an early lead, which was soon doubled by Lucy Cook. However, Caitlin Irving’s goal on the cusp of half time provided a wake-up call to City, as Allerdale reduced the deficit. City responded ruthlessly as Tweddle sealed a brace and Cook completed her hat-trick to ensure Carlisle City lifted the U14 Girls’ County Cup.
U16 Girls’ County Cup Final
Allerdale Girls U16 2 Penrith AFC Juniors U16 Girls Diamonds 2 (aet. Allerdale win 4-3 on pens)
Gillford Park Stadium, Sunday 14 May
The U16 Girls’ County Cup Final saw the Women’s League U16 League champions, Penrith, take on League Cup winners Allerdale in a closely contested final. Leah Harrison opened the scoring for Allerdale, with Penrith responding quickly via Danielle Brown’s half-volley. The Diamonds then took the lead on the stroke of half time, as Amy Norman forced the ball home from close range. Allerdale had work to do in the second half and got the job done quickly, as the ball was turned into the net by a Diamonds defender early on. Whilst both sides had a chance to win the game in extra time, the match went to penalties, with Allerdale’s Emily Carruthers in goal becoming the hero as she saved the decisive spot-kick.
Further photos can be found via www.facebook.com/cumberlandfa and can be purchased via www.wittwoo.com/football