Harry Fishwick Cup final

Mathern FC 1 Caldicot Town 0

IN one of the tightest finals for years, a 75th-minute goal sealed silverware for Mathern at Jubilee Park on Friday, writes Bob Cypher.

Both teams had enjoyed periods of pressure but neither had been able to dominate their opponents and make the breakthrough until a smart turn and pass by substitute James Burchill set up Keiron Gettings for the winner.

Gettings, with his brother Kyle on his right, cut back on his left to elude a defender and fired a low drive past Town keeper Matt Sandiford.

Within minutes of taking the lead, Mathern were grateful to their keeper Jacob Tyson for making a spectacular save to tip over a free kick heading for the top corner.

Early exchanges were fairly even with Mathern using Gettings’ speed to cut through Town’s defence while Town’s Ryan Cole showed some skilful touches and produced some tricky runs to set up chances for the strikers.

But both teams failed to find the killer pass or shot.

Sam Hooper’s acrobatic overhead kick flew wide of Mathern’s goal and a couple of Wayne Duffield headers suffered the same fate at the other end.

Mathern skipper Duffield and his opposite number 10 Owen Joseph played well with Joseph being awarded the Man of the Match accolade.

In Mathern’s back line, Jack Stewart and Gavin Ellis were in great form while Chris Lewis and Jack Taylor performed well to limit Town’s scoring chances.

With defences strong, the midfield battle was always interesting without being decisive but after half-time, Mathern boss Simon Bajjada made a number of tactical substitutions and Mathern began to be more productive, especially on their left side where Burchill was operating and his neat turn and accurate cross-field pass found Gettings in space just outside the area.

Bajjada said later that he had timed his substitutions to bring fresh legs to his team at times when Town’s fitness might be diminished.

“I knew I had players who could come off the bench and change the game – and it worked,” he added.

Mathern return to Jubilee Park for another final this Friday when they take on Severn Tunnel in the CCL-sponsored Centenary Cup, kick-off 6.30pm.