Vikings victorious in Primary Cup showdown
FC Viking vs Northwold FC – The 4Work Primary Cup Final
Harrod Sport Arena, 22.03.25, KO 2.00pm
Final Score: FC Viking 4 – 2 Northwold FC
Vikings victorious in Primary Cup showdown
FC Viking conquered Northwold in the 4Work Primary Cup Final on Saturday, to become the first Norfolk County Cup winners of the season.
An Ashton Taylor Hat trick, topped off with an Alex Burks strike, was enough to see off second half goals from Northwold's Daniel Jackson and Taylor Vickers and see the Norwich based side victorious.
An extremely frantic start resulted in the opening goal inside the first two minutes. Northwold centre back, Adam Jolly sent a looped back pass towards goalkeeper, Freddie Young who failed to clear the ball meaningfully. Michael Hemming latched onto the loose ball inside the Northwold box and laid it into the path of FC Viking striker, Ashton Taylor who fired the ball into the bottom left corner. The perfect start for the Sprowston based side.
In the next 15 minutes neither side managed to create a meaningful chance with both goalkeepers having little involvement. This changed in the 18th minute when Taylor Vickers, forced FC Viking goalkeeper, Matt Tickle, into action as he dived well to his right to parry the ball behind for a corner.
Only moments later, FC Viking worked the ball forward and managed to slip Taylor in down the right hand side of the Northwold defence. He glanced up and powered his shot across the diving goalkeeper into the bottom corner putting his side 2-0 up after 22 minutes.
As the game passed the half hour mark, FC Viking winger, Jacob Braddon won a corner after some skilful wing play. Jolly did well to rise highest and head the ball away after a dangerous in swinging ball from the left.
In the last few minutes of the half, Northwold created their best chance of the game as Daniel Jackson created himself a small opening inside the FC Viking box, but his effort flew over the crossbar.
Half Time: FC Viking 2 – 0 Northwold FC
The first 10 minutes of the second period were very cagy with neither team managing to string together meaningful passes. The first chance of the half fell to Northwold substitute, Joe Coombs who after going through on goal had the ball vanish from beneath him as Sean Betts tracked back and made a last ditch tackle.
Taylor completed his hat-trick on the hour mark when an incredible pass from Hemming split the Northwold defense perfectly to allow Alex Burks to drive forward and square the ball to Taylor. The frontman made no mistake in firing past the onrushing Young. He then sprinted to the Viking faithful in the crowd who were cheering behind the goal as they began to believe they had one hand already on the 4Work Primary Cup.
Northwold got one back after 68 minutes as Jackson latched onto a long forward ball and delicately finished past the stranded Tickle in the FC Viking goal. FC Viking then restored their three goal lead only minutes later as Burks powerfully headed home a deliciously whipped corner from Hemming. He met the ball perfectly with his header deflecting off the crossbar and into the back of the net.
The action wasn't over as with just over 10 minutes to play, Northwold scored their second after Taylor Vickers played a perfectly weighted diagonal long ball over the FC Viking backline. Substitute, Sam Sheppard gambled and finished first time past the goalkeeper, using his knee to ensure good contact on the ball.
Despite a late push in extended stoppage time, Northwold were unable to add to their tally and FC Viking saw out the final minutes to become the 2024-25 4Work Primary Cup winners, and the first Norfolk County Cup Winners of the season.
Final Score: FC Viking 4 – 2 Northwold FC
Line ups:
FC Viking : Matt Tickle, Sean Betts, Alfie Carver (C), RIchard Hipkiss, Luke Mann, Michael Hemming, Tom Doughty, Ollie Warne, Dan Basson, Jacob Braddon, Ashton Taylor.
Subs: Rupert Appleton, Lewis Mann, Alex Burks, George Stringer, Greg Audus.
Northwold FC: Freddie Young, Krzysztof Wasko, Adam Jolly, James Dey, Jordan Boulton (C), Lewis Coleman, Mason Thorogood, Taylor Vickers, Ivo Sousa, George Sharpe, Daniel Jackson.
Subs: Joe Coombs, Sam Shepherd, Ben Tricker, Robbie Trainor, Mayes Jacker.
Referee: Craig Guy
Assistant Referees: Kevin Wingfield & Julian Driver
Fourth Official: Mark Riches
Attendance: 244
Player of the Match: Ashton Taylor – FC Viking
Photography: Ben Cunningham