Finchampstead 2-1 Richings Park: Vallance nets extra-time winner as Finch win BTC Senior Cup final

FINCHAMPSTEAD FC got their hands on more silverware as they completed a league and cup double.

Having secured the Thames Valley Premier League title for the second consecutive season last weekend after holding off a title challenge from Burghfield.

Finch were crowned league champions with 20 wins, two draws and four losses from 25 games as they finished four points above Burghfield and then set their sights on winning the BTC Senior Cup.

It was a frantic start to the game as both teams took a while to settle and deal with the occasion in front of the crowd at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

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Richings Park created a few decent chances, the most notable, a counter attack from a Finch corner which led to the striker’s header rebounding off the post and out of play.

Finch started to settle down and play their football and saw immediate success as they took the lead on 17 minutes when Alex Woodhead smashed the ball home at the second time of asking following some brilliant build up play with Joel Day delivering into the box.

Finch started to keep the ball for large parts but Richings were always threatening, especially on the counter attack, both teams continued to create chances but a fantastic pass cutting through the Finch defence and a wonderful finish helped Richings level the cup final in the 32nd minute. Shortly after the equaliser, Richings had to play the remainder of the half with 10 men following a sin bin.

This allowed Finch to push forward and try to regain the initiative, but after some gritty defending followed by a fair bit of time wasting, Richings were able to comfortably go into half-time level.

The second half started much the same, with Finch continuing to play the football from out the defence but struggled to find options on the final third to break their opponents down.

Richings started to threaten more as the half went on and around the 70th minute mark they had a few free kicks in dangerous areas and looked the more likely to score.

Ethan Simons was introduced for Nathan Collins, and the whole dynamics of the game changed as Ethan was put at striker which allowed Aqeel to drop back into central midfield. Ethan asked plenty of questions of the Richings defence as he began to stretch the play, the tide started to turn and Finch went on to have a very good end of the second half.

With plenty of chances to win it in the final 15 minutes, including a stunning 90th minute save to deny Woodhead from eight yards out, Finch went into extra time with confidence.

The first half of extra time fell flat, neither side created many chances and fatigue started to take its toll on both sides.

With 15 minutes left the atmosphere was incredibly tense as the thought of penalties started to get into the mindset of both players and supporters.

The game started to stretch out with plenty of space to be found for both sides.

Richings thought they had won the game in the 113 minute as the number 9 was again put through but struck the side netting.

The double blow was then dealt as on 115 minutes Woodhead picked out a delightful ball slowly entering the box from right to left to find an unmarked on running Callum Vallance who slotted it into the bottom right hand corner to give Finch the lead. The noise was electric with cheers from the Finch fans, and encouragement to go again for Richings Park.

The game played out with a few long balls into the Finch box but all were dealt with, and the champions held on to their lead in true champions style.