Emneth edge out The Middle Green

CSKA Emneth became two-time County Cup Champions after edging out The Middle Green at Harrod Sport Arena on Friday 5 April 2024.

It was an action packed first 10 minutes with both teams creating good chances early on, however neither side came close to opening the scoring.

A curling free kick from Middle Green’s Dominic Doggett brought the first real promising opportunity to score as the ball was fired goal bound beyond the CSKA Emneth wall. Emneth’s goalkeeper, Luke Pearson was equal to the shot and caught the ball confidently.

With their pacey front line, it was The Middle Green who began to dominate play with minutes left of the first half. CSKA Emneth were forced to sit deep as we still awaited the deadlock to be broken.

As the desperation for the opening goal increased, two yellow cards were handed out to players from both sides in quick succession. The first was to The Middle Green’s Doggett for a trip stopping a promising attack. It was then Emneth’s Jake Gadsden who received the second, after committing a mistimed tackle.

The clock was ticking down to the break with no success from either side, however the opener was found by CSKA Emneth in the final few minutes of the half. A well worked short corner allowed Dan Robert space to whip in a dangerous ball to the front post where Mark Reynolds rose highest to glance his header into the far corner of the net and past the motionless Ben Tuckett in the Middle Green goal.

Half Time: The Middle Green 0 – 1 CSKA Emneth

Having taken the lead in the first 45, CSKA Emneth began the second period by pressing high in search of a second goal. There were a couple of big chances for CSKA frontman, Toby Allen as he raced forward on two occasions, however he could not find the back of the net on either attack. Despite doing extremely well to get through The Middle Green defence, the powerful strikes he unleashed were either hit wide or met by the gloves of Tuckett.

It was Jake Gadsden who netted home CSKA Emneth’s second just before the hour mark. After brilliant hold up play from Josh Balding, he managed to slide the ball into open space, allowing Gadsden to run onto it. The onrushing Tuckett was unable to stop the low driven shot as Gadsden wheeled away celebrating before the ball had even crossed the line.

Not disheartened by the two-goal difference, The Middle Green continued to push forward and put pressure on the CSKA defence. Owen Lane attempted a speculative effort with an overhead kick, but he could only direct his effort wide of the goal.

The Middle Green got one back with 15 minutes left to play when Sammy Imessaoudene latched onto a long forward pass and cut the ball back to the edge of the box. Danny Callum lined up his effort from 25 yards out and watched the ball fly past the diving Luke Pearson and into the right-hand netting of the goal.

Still looking for the equaliser, The Middle Green were using every opportunity in the final minutes of the game to attack. A chance to level the scoring came from a Dominic Doggett corner that curved neatly towards goal. However, the ball was collected again by Pearson, preventing The Middle Green’s comeback.

Final Score: The Middle Green 1 – 2 CSKA Emneth

Line ups:

The Middle Green: Ben Tuckett, Jonny Bailey ©, Dominic Doggett, Danny Self, Alex Pattison, Nick Mackenzie, Owen Lane, Sam Brooks, Sammy Imessaoudene, Tom Nurse & Danny Callum.

Subs: Kieran Murell, Jake Mardell, Louis Le-May, Callum Burke & Kieran Campbell.

CSKA Emneth: Luke Pearson, Joel Matless, Chris Gunkle, Dale Palmer, Jake Ogden, Jake Miller ©, Dan Roberts, Jake Gadsden, Josh Balding, Toby Allen & Mark Reynolds.

Subs: Nathan Watson, Lucas Ablett, Conor Bird, Joe Reed & Max Matless.

Referee: Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Assistant Referees: Daniel Sadler & Michael Clark

Fourth Official: Chris Brown

Attendance: 280

Player of the Match: Jake Miller – CSKA Emneth

Photography: Ben Cunningham