A Matty Allan penalty was the difference for Godmanchester Rovers as they shocked favourites Stotfold FC to lift the Hinchingbrooke Cup Final with a 1-0 victory.
In a tightly contested match, Godmanchester spoiled what was supposed to be Stotfold's swansong following their promotion to Step Four with a dogged performance at Eaton Socon.
The Rovers headed into their second Hinchinbrooke Cup Final in three seasons as the underdogs due to their indifferent league season, finishing fourteenth, and Stotfold's fine form.
What a night for this young lad only 16 years old and thrown on in a final after only 20 minutes and what a job he done, enjoy it young Alfie 💙⚽️👏 @squeezefootball @utdcos @UCLFanZone @HinchCup @HuntsFA @stotfoldfc pic.twitter.com/FDwDemZBSI
— Godmanchester Rovers (@GoddyRoversFc) May 5, 2023
Stotfold had the better of the attacking play, but their finishing was unconvincing, and when they did find their target, they found Goddy keeper George Whitehall in confident form.
They hit the woodwork twice in the first half, but at the other end, the United Counties League side were dangerous on the break but with some of their finishing off target.
READ MORE: James Dadge's penalty shootout heroics seal county cup final win over Yaxley
“Winners focus on winning, losers focus on winners”
— Rob Ruddy (@RobRuddy) May 5, 2023
Getting silly now @88mattgreen10 👴🏼👴🏼…
10 🏆 together and counting ❤️
Cannot beat that feeling @GoddyRoversFc @GoddyNews 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/re8uUW1677
After a goalless first half, Allan was pulled down just inside the penalty area and from the resultant penalty kick, he scored what proved to be the winning goal after 54 minutes.
Both sides looked tired at the end of a long season, but despite Stotfold raising their game after the goal, they failed to make their possession count, and the Huntingdonshire side managed to survive to lift the trophy.
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