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The Arthurian League representative team has been playing against other league representative teams, club teams and business house teams since the 1960s.
It competes in the Argonaut Trophy against the Southern Amateur League and Amateur Football Combination in a three-way league and the FA Inter-League Cup. The manager, Billy Jenkins, scouts players from across the league and the annual Challenge Match is used to aid selection. |
Season 2024-25
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WEDNESDAY 31 JULY, 11:00
Arthurian League 3-3 Lisboa (POR) Myyrmäki Stadium, Vantaa SATURDAY 3 AUGUST, 15:00
Arthurian League vs Länsi-Vantaan Ylpeys (FIN) Myyrmäki Stadium, Vantaa SATURDAY 6 AUGUST, 15:30
Arthurian League vs Latvia Amateur (LVA) Myyrmäki Stadium, Vantaa |
Season 2023-24
fa inter-league cup 2023-2024
| First Round | ||||||||
| 29.NOV | Liverpool Premier League |  | vs |  | Manchester League | 1–2 | at M.S.B. Woolton | |
| Second Round (by 20 January) | ||||||||
| - | Isle of Man Premier League |  | vs |  | Cheshire League | L–W | - | |
| 13.JAN | Manchester League | | vs |  | West Cheshire League | 6–0 | at Avro FC | |
| 13.JAN | York League |  | vs |  | West Yorkshire League | 1–1 (3–4) | at Pickering Town FC | |
| 31.JAN | Humber Premier League |  | vs | | Yorkshire Amateur League | 3–1 | at East Riding FA, Hull | |
| 20.JAN | Essex Olympian League |  | vs |  | Essex & Suffolk Border League | 3–2 | at Harlow Town FC | |
| 13.JAN | Herts Senior County League |  | vs |  | Southern Amateur League | 2–2 (4–2) | at Herts FA, Letchworth | |
| 20.JAN | Amateur Football Combination |  | vs |  | Arthurian League | 1–2 | at Dorking Wanderers FC | |
| 03.FEB | Thames Valley Premier League |  | vs |  | Dorset Premier League | 2–0 | at Henley Town FC | |
| Third Round (by 24 February) | ||||||||
| 16.FEB | Manchester League | | vs | | Cheshire League | W–L* | at Hyde United | |
| * The Cheshire League won 4-1 on pens after 0-0 but were removed for fielding an ineligible player | ||||||||
| 20.FEB | West Yorkshire League | | vs | | Humber Premier League | 3–0 | at Knaresborough Town | |
| 17.FEB | Essex Olympian League | | vs | | Herts Senior County League | 0–2 | at Harpenden Town FC | |
| 24.FEB | Arthurian League | | vs | | Thames Valley Premier League | 1–0 | at Corinthian-Casuals FC | |
| Semi Final (by 23 March) | ||||||||
| 23.MAR | Manchester League | | vs | | West Yorkshire League | 1–4 | at Mossley FC | |
| 16.MAR | Arthurian League | | vs | | Herts Senior County League | W–L* | at Hendon FC | |
| * The Herts Senior County League won 2-0 but were removed for fielding an ineligible player | ||||||||
| Final | ||||||||
| 05.MAY | Arthurian League | | vs | | West Yorkshire League | 1–0† | at Lincoln City FC | |
10-JAN 4-2 vs Lloyds of London
FRIENDLY
FRIENDLY
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The Hive (Barnet FC)
Camrose Avenue London HA8 6AG REFEREE:
Lee Turnbull ASSISTANTS: Joshua Soloway | Errol Barnett |
20-JAN 2-1 Amateur Football Combination
FA Inter-League Cup 2nd Round
FA Inter-League Cup 2nd Round
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The team celebrate qualifying for the FA Inter-League Cup quarter-finals
Meadowbank Football Ground
Mill Lane, Dorking RH4 1DX |
Following on from the Arthurian Representation team’s success in the Argonaut Trophy 2022/2023 competition following wins against the Southern Amateur League and Amateur Football Combination. The team entered into the FA Inter-League Cup 2023/2024 campaign.
The Cup (Formerly NLS Cup) is limited to National League System and feeder leagues and other leagues as decided by The FA. It was created with the intention of finding a winning league representative side to fly the flag for England in the UEFA Regions Cup.
The Arthurian Representative Team began the 2024 year with a friendly match against Lloyds of London on a cold evening on the 10th January over at Barnet FC's ground. The Arthurian Team dominated the game and ended up successfully winning 4-2 which in truth could have been a far wider margin. This extended the team's undefeated run to three matches.
In the first round of the FA Inter-League Cup the team drew neighbours AFC (Amateur Football Combination). The Arthurian side routed the opposition 6-0 to win the Argonaut Trophy last season at Potters Bar Town FC. However they expected stronger opponents this time round.
Management team including (Manager - Billy Jenkins, Assistant Coaches - Jon Hunter & Nicky Samra) had a big selection headache ahead of the key fixture. The team are fortunate to have a huge depth of quality throughout the entirety of the Arthurian League and to narrow it down to 16 players is never an easy task.
The final squad included; Oliver Bowles (GK) (Old Brentwoods), Peter Brooking (C) (Old Brentwoods), Harry Larke (Old Brentwoods), Josh Banfield (Old Chigwellians), Will Payne (Old Harrovians), Henry Langley (Old Kimboltonians), Tayo Felstead (Old Foresters), Harry Ellis (Old Foresters), Nicky Samra (Old Reptonians), Josh Riley (Old Reptonians), Jake Raine (Old Reptonians), Ashley Beddows (Old Carthusians), Anthony Beddows (Old Carthusians), Sam Thomas (Old Carthusians), Craig Bonnar (Old Johnians).
With 8 different teams represented throughout the squad, this again demonstrates the depth in quality of the league.
The AFC named a stronger side from the one in the Argonaut Trophy with a heavy presence from Dorkinians, Honourable Artillery Company and Wandsworth Borough. The tie was hosted at the Meadwoodbank Stadium, the home of Dorking Wanderers. On a cold windy night in Southwest London with a crowd of around 75 in attendance (predominately local support for the AFC side) but with some loyal Arthurian away fans!
The stage was set for a good battle between the sides and the game. AFC started the more strongly, letting the Arthurian side have the ball at the back and then when setting into midfield triggered the press to win the ball and break with numbers. The Arthurian side had a few half chances during the first half through a decent effort inside the box and then a great header from a corner although neither really troubling the goalkeeper.
A vocal home crowd began to encourage the AFC side on and a flurry of decent chances led to the breakthrough with their number 9 (Craig Kingswell) cutting inside to bury the ball into the bottom corner. Some great saves from keeper Oliver Bowles kept the scoreline at 1-0, along with some good blocks from Peter Brooking and the Beadows brothers. The Arthurian side struggled to get a grip on the game with a few stray passes and Henry Langley picked up an unfortunate yellow card just before the half-time break.
A few dubious 50/50's not going the Arthurian sides way led to some frustration going into the half.
Plenty of work was needed from Billy's boys in white and blue to get themselves back into the game. A strong team talk from the management team and the squad identified the key areas that were needed to improve on in order to turn the game around. Jake Raine came on for Henry Langley at half-time which was the first change made by the side.
In the second half the Arthurian side game out flying and didn't let the AFC out of their half for the first ten minutes. Some superb pressing from the front 4 led to sloppy passing and some patient build-up allowed the Arthurian team to pin the AFC in and get some great opportunities off. Anthony Beddows came close with a header from one of many corners from the side that second half. Josh Riley had two half chances as he cut inside. Jake Raine along with the ever stronger midfield had a few decent chances too.
With the Arthurian side knocking on the door it was important to not concede another with Oliver Bowles again alert to danger on a number of occasions. Sam Thomas went off injured with a hamstring problem which led to Tayo Felstead coming on in his place. Then in the 70th minute the Arthurian side finally got the goal that they deserved through a goal-line scrap with Jake Raine slotting the ball into the net. This proved to be the catalyst that the team needed to kick on and five minutes later fellow Reptonian Josh Riley followed suit slotting the ball into the bottom corner past the goalkeeper. A superb hard press from our front four of Jake Raine, Josh Riley, Craig Bonnar and Harry Ellis put the AFC side under great pressure. In a shirt space of time the game had effectively been flipped on its head.
Josh Riley and Jake Raine both had two half chances which missed, both of which would have been in with a chance of the Puskas Award!
The midfield pairing of Harry Larke and Josh Banfield had really stepped up a gear in the second half and dominated the midfield battle. Some great pressing, passing and desire to track back was personified by Josh when their player was bearing down on goal and slid in to block a shot in the 85th minute.
Oliver Bowles again was superb and denied the AFC twice in the final minutes of the game to keep the scoreline at 2-1. After a final nail-biting few minutes the referee blew the fulltime whistle and the comeback was complete. A great game for the neutrals with the Arthurian side progressing to the next round. But it was close and a resilient AFC pushed the Arthurian side to the very end.
A quarter final home tie awaits the Arthurian side against the winners of Thames Valley Premier League vs Dorset Premier League. The quarter final tie will take place around the 17th/24th of February.
The Cup (Formerly NLS Cup) is limited to National League System and feeder leagues and other leagues as decided by The FA. It was created with the intention of finding a winning league representative side to fly the flag for England in the UEFA Regions Cup.
The Arthurian Representative Team began the 2024 year with a friendly match against Lloyds of London on a cold evening on the 10th January over at Barnet FC's ground. The Arthurian Team dominated the game and ended up successfully winning 4-2 which in truth could have been a far wider margin. This extended the team's undefeated run to three matches.
In the first round of the FA Inter-League Cup the team drew neighbours AFC (Amateur Football Combination). The Arthurian side routed the opposition 6-0 to win the Argonaut Trophy last season at Potters Bar Town FC. However they expected stronger opponents this time round.
Management team including (Manager - Billy Jenkins, Assistant Coaches - Jon Hunter & Nicky Samra) had a big selection headache ahead of the key fixture. The team are fortunate to have a huge depth of quality throughout the entirety of the Arthurian League and to narrow it down to 16 players is never an easy task.
The final squad included; Oliver Bowles (GK) (Old Brentwoods), Peter Brooking (C) (Old Brentwoods), Harry Larke (Old Brentwoods), Josh Banfield (Old Chigwellians), Will Payne (Old Harrovians), Henry Langley (Old Kimboltonians), Tayo Felstead (Old Foresters), Harry Ellis (Old Foresters), Nicky Samra (Old Reptonians), Josh Riley (Old Reptonians), Jake Raine (Old Reptonians), Ashley Beddows (Old Carthusians), Anthony Beddows (Old Carthusians), Sam Thomas (Old Carthusians), Craig Bonnar (Old Johnians).
With 8 different teams represented throughout the squad, this again demonstrates the depth in quality of the league.
The AFC named a stronger side from the one in the Argonaut Trophy with a heavy presence from Dorkinians, Honourable Artillery Company and Wandsworth Borough. The tie was hosted at the Meadwoodbank Stadium, the home of Dorking Wanderers. On a cold windy night in Southwest London with a crowd of around 75 in attendance (predominately local support for the AFC side) but with some loyal Arthurian away fans!
The stage was set for a good battle between the sides and the game. AFC started the more strongly, letting the Arthurian side have the ball at the back and then when setting into midfield triggered the press to win the ball and break with numbers. The Arthurian side had a few half chances during the first half through a decent effort inside the box and then a great header from a corner although neither really troubling the goalkeeper.
A vocal home crowd began to encourage the AFC side on and a flurry of decent chances led to the breakthrough with their number 9 (Craig Kingswell) cutting inside to bury the ball into the bottom corner. Some great saves from keeper Oliver Bowles kept the scoreline at 1-0, along with some good blocks from Peter Brooking and the Beadows brothers. The Arthurian side struggled to get a grip on the game with a few stray passes and Henry Langley picked up an unfortunate yellow card just before the half-time break.
A few dubious 50/50's not going the Arthurian sides way led to some frustration going into the half.
Plenty of work was needed from Billy's boys in white and blue to get themselves back into the game. A strong team talk from the management team and the squad identified the key areas that were needed to improve on in order to turn the game around. Jake Raine came on for Henry Langley at half-time which was the first change made by the side.
In the second half the Arthurian side game out flying and didn't let the AFC out of their half for the first ten minutes. Some superb pressing from the front 4 led to sloppy passing and some patient build-up allowed the Arthurian team to pin the AFC in and get some great opportunities off. Anthony Beddows came close with a header from one of many corners from the side that second half. Josh Riley had two half chances as he cut inside. Jake Raine along with the ever stronger midfield had a few decent chances too.
With the Arthurian side knocking on the door it was important to not concede another with Oliver Bowles again alert to danger on a number of occasions. Sam Thomas went off injured with a hamstring problem which led to Tayo Felstead coming on in his place. Then in the 70th minute the Arthurian side finally got the goal that they deserved through a goal-line scrap with Jake Raine slotting the ball into the net. This proved to be the catalyst that the team needed to kick on and five minutes later fellow Reptonian Josh Riley followed suit slotting the ball into the bottom corner past the goalkeeper. A superb hard press from our front four of Jake Raine, Josh Riley, Craig Bonnar and Harry Ellis put the AFC side under great pressure. In a shirt space of time the game had effectively been flipped on its head.
Josh Riley and Jake Raine both had two half chances which missed, both of which would have been in with a chance of the Puskas Award!
The midfield pairing of Harry Larke and Josh Banfield had really stepped up a gear in the second half and dominated the midfield battle. Some great pressing, passing and desire to track back was personified by Josh when their player was bearing down on goal and slid in to block a shot in the 85th minute.
Oliver Bowles again was superb and denied the AFC twice in the final minutes of the game to keep the scoreline at 2-1. After a final nail-biting few minutes the referee blew the fulltime whistle and the comeback was complete. A great game for the neutrals with the Arthurian side progressing to the next round. But it was close and a resilient AFC pushed the Arthurian side to the very end.
A quarter final home tie awaits the Arthurian side against the winners of Thames Valley Premier League vs Dorset Premier League. The quarter final tie will take place around the 17th/24th of February.
24-feb 1-0 vs thames valley premier league
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
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King George's Fields, UBG Arena,
Queen Mary Close, Hook Rise South, Tolworth KT6 7NA |
The Arthurian League Representative side sealed their place in the semi-finals of the FA Inter-League Cup with a narrow, but thoroughly deserved, 1-0 win over the Thames Valley Premier League at Corinthian-Casuals FC on Saturday afternoon. In a tight, scrappy encounter played on a heavy pitch in southwest London, the Arthurian side enjoyed most of the possession and created the clearer chances to score, but had to wait until the 72nd minute to turn their superiority on the field into a lead on the scoreboard, Alleynians winger Sam Fetherston slotting home from close range following a spell of sustained pressure. Thames Valley created little throughout and having fallen behind never looked capable of forcing extra-time. Victory earns the Arthurian League a semi-final tie against the Herts Senior County League on the evening of March 16th with the venue to be confirmed in due course.
Following a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Amateur Football Combination in the previous round, the Arthurian League XI, led as always by the ever-enthusiastic Old Forester Billy Jenkins, anticipated an equally tough challenge in a first ever meeting against the Thames Valley League. Thames had defeated the Dorset Premier League 2-0 in the first round in a game played at Henley Town FC, with the vast majority of their squad for Saturday’s tie drawn from two of the top five teams in the Premier Division: leaders Westwood Wanderers and fifth-placed Holyport Reserves.
For the Arthurians, manager Billy Jenkins was forced to make five changes to his sixteen-man squad from the win over the AFC. Brentwoods skipper Peter Brooking missed out through injury, although he still made the effort to support the side on the day, with Forest duo Tayo Felstead and Harry Ellis also absent, as well as Kimboltonian Henry Langley and Carthusian Ashley Beddows – although Anthony Beddows was fit to take his place alongside Reptonian Andy Evans at the heart of the back four. Old Alleynian Sam Fetherston started on the right wing, Premier Division leading scorer Josh Riley of the Old Reptonians on the left, with Johnians skipper – and the man entrusted with the armband on the day – Craig Bonnar ling up just behind striker Jake Raine, another Old Reptonian. Chigwellian Josh Banfield and Brentwoods’ Harry Larke formed the central midfield pairing with Carthusian Sam Thomas at right-back and Reptonian Fraser Lane at left-back. Keeper Ollie Bowles was the second Brentwoods player in the starting lineup, with the five substitutes featuring two Reptonians, an Alleynian, a Harrovian and another Brentwoods player.
Conditions down in Tolworth for the 3pm kick-off were about as good as could be expected, with the game kicking off in bright sunshine and the pitch soft but clearly playable, Corinthians’ groundstaff having worked tirelessly to ensure the tie would go ahead as planned. Perhaps understandably, as both sets of players became accustomed to the conditions underfoot, the Arthurians made a slightly nervy start to the encounter, with both the centre-backs Evans and Beddows finding themselves under early pressure from a high press that almost yielded a couple of early chances for the opposition. Keeper Ollie Bowles was alert to any danger however and, as the half progressed, it was the men in white who began to impose themselves on the game – just as the manager had asked them to do prior to kick-off.
The Arthurians enjoyed particular success down their left flank with full-back Fraser Lane and Josh Riley reprising their Repton partnership to great effect, several flowing moves causing problems for the over-worked Thames Valley right-back. A free-kick was won in a dangerous position midway inside the visitors’ half but disappointingly curled well beyond the players waiting inside the box, a couple of corners also came to nothing. Riley attempted a spectacular overhead kick from close to the penalty spot but only succeeded in firing the ball straight up in the air, Fetherston saw his effort from the right well saved by the Thames Valley keeper.
It was almost one-way traffic for the remainder of the half, with the Arthurian defence snuffing out what little threat they faced, the midfield duo of Banfield and Larke controlling the middle of the pitch. Larke, in particular, began to grow in stature as the half progressed, confidently striding forwards with the ball at his feet and spreading play out wide whenever possible. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect of the first half was the failure to carve out a decisive opportunity: Bonnar, Raine, Fetherston and Larke himself all had efforts at goal prior to the break but either fired wide or were foiled by Thames Valley keeper Will Cullum, who was by now the busiest man on the pitch. In contrast, his opposite man Ollie Bowles had become almost a spectator, such was the level of protection afforded to him by his teammates.
Management duo Billy Jenkins and Nicky Samra kept the same eleven for the start of the second half, with fairly unanimous agreement among the squad that the game was plainly there to be won, Thames Valley having barely created a chance of note in the opening forty-five minutes. But, disappointingly, the opening twenty minutes of the second half proved incredibly scrappy, with the previous dominance of those in white replaced by a fairly even, if remarkably dour midfield battle. Thames Valley dropped into a slightly deeper block and competed gamely in the middle of the pitch, with the result that neither keeper was really tested in this period. The Arthurian back four, led by the centre-backs Evans and Beddows, remained comfortable and it was almost impossible to see how the opposition would score. But the lack of any sustained pressure from the Arthurians was now a concern and manager Billy Jenkins had seen enough.
Off came striker Jake Raine, who had earlier taken a knock, and, shortly afterwards, the skipper Craig Bonnar. In their stead came Reptonian Tommy Redhead and Harrovian Will Payne, who took his place on the right wing, Josh Riley moving up front and Sam Fetherston over to the left. It was at this point in the game that as players on both sides began to tire, space began opening up and, just as in the first half, it proved to be the men in white who took advantage.
A corner from the left provided the first indication that a breakthrough may be forthcoming, substitute Tommy Redhead swivelling to fire home from close range, but the joy was short-lived – an immediate flag from the linesman ruling out that effort. But moments later the Arthurians did find the back of the net and this time it counted. Winger Sam Fetherston cut inside the centre-half on the left of the area, working himself an inch of space, before producing a low sidefoot finish. Although the shot wasn’t the most powerful, the Thames Valley keeper made a hash of the save, somehow allowing the ball to squirm under his body and into the net.
Fewer than twenty minutes remained but the visitors never looked capable of finding an equaliser. Instead, it was the Arthurian League who poured forwards, Redhead seeing another effort well saved by the keeper, Payne enjoying plenty of space down the right and causing problems for his full-back. Although a definitive second goal continued to elude them, the Arthurians remained in full control and saw out the remainder of the tie with the minimum of fuss.
The side are now one game away from a final at St George’s Park, but first they must overcome the Herts Senior County League on March 16th with the game taking place at Hendon FC.
Attendance: 65
Following a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Amateur Football Combination in the previous round, the Arthurian League XI, led as always by the ever-enthusiastic Old Forester Billy Jenkins, anticipated an equally tough challenge in a first ever meeting against the Thames Valley League. Thames had defeated the Dorset Premier League 2-0 in the first round in a game played at Henley Town FC, with the vast majority of their squad for Saturday’s tie drawn from two of the top five teams in the Premier Division: leaders Westwood Wanderers and fifth-placed Holyport Reserves.
For the Arthurians, manager Billy Jenkins was forced to make five changes to his sixteen-man squad from the win over the AFC. Brentwoods skipper Peter Brooking missed out through injury, although he still made the effort to support the side on the day, with Forest duo Tayo Felstead and Harry Ellis also absent, as well as Kimboltonian Henry Langley and Carthusian Ashley Beddows – although Anthony Beddows was fit to take his place alongside Reptonian Andy Evans at the heart of the back four. Old Alleynian Sam Fetherston started on the right wing, Premier Division leading scorer Josh Riley of the Old Reptonians on the left, with Johnians skipper – and the man entrusted with the armband on the day – Craig Bonnar ling up just behind striker Jake Raine, another Old Reptonian. Chigwellian Josh Banfield and Brentwoods’ Harry Larke formed the central midfield pairing with Carthusian Sam Thomas at right-back and Reptonian Fraser Lane at left-back. Keeper Ollie Bowles was the second Brentwoods player in the starting lineup, with the five substitutes featuring two Reptonians, an Alleynian, a Harrovian and another Brentwoods player.
Conditions down in Tolworth for the 3pm kick-off were about as good as could be expected, with the game kicking off in bright sunshine and the pitch soft but clearly playable, Corinthians’ groundstaff having worked tirelessly to ensure the tie would go ahead as planned. Perhaps understandably, as both sets of players became accustomed to the conditions underfoot, the Arthurians made a slightly nervy start to the encounter, with both the centre-backs Evans and Beddows finding themselves under early pressure from a high press that almost yielded a couple of early chances for the opposition. Keeper Ollie Bowles was alert to any danger however and, as the half progressed, it was the men in white who began to impose themselves on the game – just as the manager had asked them to do prior to kick-off.
The Arthurians enjoyed particular success down their left flank with full-back Fraser Lane and Josh Riley reprising their Repton partnership to great effect, several flowing moves causing problems for the over-worked Thames Valley right-back. A free-kick was won in a dangerous position midway inside the visitors’ half but disappointingly curled well beyond the players waiting inside the box, a couple of corners also came to nothing. Riley attempted a spectacular overhead kick from close to the penalty spot but only succeeded in firing the ball straight up in the air, Fetherston saw his effort from the right well saved by the Thames Valley keeper.
It was almost one-way traffic for the remainder of the half, with the Arthurian defence snuffing out what little threat they faced, the midfield duo of Banfield and Larke controlling the middle of the pitch. Larke, in particular, began to grow in stature as the half progressed, confidently striding forwards with the ball at his feet and spreading play out wide whenever possible. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect of the first half was the failure to carve out a decisive opportunity: Bonnar, Raine, Fetherston and Larke himself all had efforts at goal prior to the break but either fired wide or were foiled by Thames Valley keeper Will Cullum, who was by now the busiest man on the pitch. In contrast, his opposite man Ollie Bowles had become almost a spectator, such was the level of protection afforded to him by his teammates.
Management duo Billy Jenkins and Nicky Samra kept the same eleven for the start of the second half, with fairly unanimous agreement among the squad that the game was plainly there to be won, Thames Valley having barely created a chance of note in the opening forty-five minutes. But, disappointingly, the opening twenty minutes of the second half proved incredibly scrappy, with the previous dominance of those in white replaced by a fairly even, if remarkably dour midfield battle. Thames Valley dropped into a slightly deeper block and competed gamely in the middle of the pitch, with the result that neither keeper was really tested in this period. The Arthurian back four, led by the centre-backs Evans and Beddows, remained comfortable and it was almost impossible to see how the opposition would score. But the lack of any sustained pressure from the Arthurians was now a concern and manager Billy Jenkins had seen enough.
Off came striker Jake Raine, who had earlier taken a knock, and, shortly afterwards, the skipper Craig Bonnar. In their stead came Reptonian Tommy Redhead and Harrovian Will Payne, who took his place on the right wing, Josh Riley moving up front and Sam Fetherston over to the left. It was at this point in the game that as players on both sides began to tire, space began opening up and, just as in the first half, it proved to be the men in white who took advantage.
A corner from the left provided the first indication that a breakthrough may be forthcoming, substitute Tommy Redhead swivelling to fire home from close range, but the joy was short-lived – an immediate flag from the linesman ruling out that effort. But moments later the Arthurians did find the back of the net and this time it counted. Winger Sam Fetherston cut inside the centre-half on the left of the area, working himself an inch of space, before producing a low sidefoot finish. Although the shot wasn’t the most powerful, the Thames Valley keeper made a hash of the save, somehow allowing the ball to squirm under his body and into the net.
Fewer than twenty minutes remained but the visitors never looked capable of finding an equaliser. Instead, it was the Arthurian League who poured forwards, Redhead seeing another effort well saved by the keeper, Payne enjoying plenty of space down the right and causing problems for his full-back. Although a definitive second goal continued to elude them, the Arthurians remained in full control and saw out the remainder of the tie with the minimum of fuss.
The side are now one game away from a final at St George’s Park, but first they must overcome the Herts Senior County League on March 16th with the game taking place at Hendon FC.
Attendance: 65
16-MAR 0-2 VS HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL
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Silver Jubilee Park
Townsend Lane, London NW9 7NE |
The Arthurian League Representative XI’s hopes of glory in their first ever appearance in the FA Inter-League Cup were brought to a crashing end on Saturday evening when they were defeated 2-0 by the Herts Senior County League at Hendon FC in north London. Despite enjoying more of the ball in both halves and creating numerous half-chances, the Arthurians couldn’t find a way past the Herts 'keeper and were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when their opponents struck twice with long-range efforts from the left in the final quarter of an hour. The disappointment at failing to reach the final, to be played at St George’s Park, and the opportunity to represent England against other European nations will linger long in the memory of all those involved. This was a game the Arthurian League could, and should, have won.
Nobody will have felt the stinging pain of this semi-final defeat more than manager Billy Jenkins and his two assistants, Nicky Samra and Jon Hunter. All three have poured considerable time and energy into ensuring the Arthurian League’s inaugural appearance in the Inter-League Cup proved a successful one. The fact that the competition is only played on a biennial basis should only serve to increase the team’s resolve to go one better in two years’ time.
Following a narrow but relatively comfortable 1-0 victory over the Thames Valley League in the quarter-final, nobody in the Arthurian League camp was labouring under the impression that this would prove another stroll in the park. The two sides have met a couple of times in recent years and fixtures have always proved highly competitive. Indeed, the Herts League claimed the impressive scalp of the Southern Amateur League in the first round of this year’s competition with a penalty shootout win following a 2-2 draw in ninety minutes. The Herts League also have considerable pedigree in the event, having reached the final back in 2014, losing the final away to the Isle of Man League.
For this semi-final, played on the artificial surface at Hendon FC, manager Billy Jenkins was able to name a very similar squad to last time. There were several changes required in defence, with Ant Beddows and Sam Thomas (Carthusians) and Fraser Lane (Reptonians) unable to travel. Assistant manager Nicky Samra started at right-back with Brentwood’s Charlie Rolls at left-back and Ed Jackson partnering Andy Evans in the middle – making it three Reptonians out of four. Otherwise the side had a very familiar feel to it, the only other change from the starting XI in the quarter-final the addition of Tommy Redhead to the number ten role, skipper Craig Bonnar moving up front in place of the injured Jake Raine. Among the substitutes, Etonian Gus Shaw-Stewart deserved special mention as he travelled having already played for the Old Etonians in their League fixture against the Carthusians earlier in the day.
Conditions in north London for the 6.45pm kick-off were excellent with a light breeze and the pitch offering an immaculate surface for the players to get the ball down and play – in stark contrast to the rather heavy, uneven conditions on the grass at Corinthian-Casuals last time out. Both sides threatened early on, skipper Bonnar enjoyed the first chance of the game, smashing a shot just over the bar from the right side of the penalty area, before keeper Ollie Bowles was given his first test of the evening, a relatively straightforward shot that he claimed comfortably.
The Arthurians gradually began to impose themselves on their opponents, switching play confidently from side to side and unafraid to test the full-backs with a few direct balls down the channels. With fifteen minutes played, and the men in white clearly in the ascendency, one of the defining moments of the evening arrived. An excellent spell of possession inside the Herts half saw the ball worked out to the left and fed into Josh Riley. The Repton man, leading scorer in the Premier Division, appeared to have executed his effort to perfection, turning inside before lashing a shot towards the top corner. Somehow, the Herts keeper flung out a hand and the slightest touch of his fingertips proved sufficient to divert the ball onto the inside of the far post, the ball rolling along the goal line before being cleared to safety. Although they weren’t to know at the time, it would prove the closest the hosts would come to scoring all night.
Arthurian dominance continued in both possession and territory but the hosts were forced into an early change when centre-back Ed Jackson was forced off with a knee injury, his persistent tendonitis flaring up despite considerable rest in the build up to the tie. Alleynian Jake Fetherston was the replacement, requiring a re-jig from the manager, several players switching positions, including skipper Craig Bonnar who now dropped back into the number ten role. But the Arthurians remained on top, despite the disruption to the starting formation. Steady pressure down the left saw corners and free-kicks won, but despite some excellent deliveries from Charlie Rolls, the Herts League defended stoutly.
The opposition had, to this point, threatened very sporadically, their two front men rather starved of possession but looking lively whenever the ball was in their vicinity. On the half-hour mark they bared their teeth for the first time however, the striker holding the ball strongly on the left under pressure before whipping a cross in to the near post, his partner’s flick header flying just wide of the far post. But having escaped, the Arthurians were then dealt a second unfortunate blow when Nicky Samra was kicked strongly from behind and jarred his knee on landing. Although he tried to continue, manager Billy Jenkins was forced to make his second change, Shaw-Stewart a straight swap at right-back.
This time the disruption to the hosts’ play was noticeable, with the final fifteen minutes of the half a far more even contest between the two teams. For the first time on the night, play was now concentrated inside the Arthurian half, although the hosts defended diligently. Herts created one half-chance, a corner was cleared but a strong run down the left ended with a decent low shot that Bowles did well to get down to. The Arthurians launched a similar attack down their left, the resulting cross-shot evaded the keeper but there was nobody at the far post to apply the finishing touch.
Having already been forced into two changes, there was no sense in manager Jenkins making any further alterations at the break. Just as in the previous round against the Thames Valley League, the Arthurians remained confident that perseverance and a continuing commitment to get the ball down and play would eventually bring the desired rewards. And for much of the second half, there seemed little reason to doubt this optimism.
The Arthurians continued to out-pass their opponents, although the opening quarter of an hour brought very few chances. But as players began to tire and the game became more open, so the men in white began to find chinks in their opponents’ armour. Rolls whipped in another delicious cross from the left only for Tommy Redhead’s strong header to be well claimed by the keeper. The Arthurians then concocted their best move of the game, a flowing counter that involved one and two-touch football down the middle of the pitch only for Riley to fire his final effort just over the bar. Harry Larke then provided another fine cross with his left foot, Sam Fetherston again just too high with his attempted header.
As the game ticked into the final fifteen minutes, a goal seemed inevitable. And it duly arrived, but at the wrong end. Herts worked the ball down their left but there seemed little sense of danger until the winger, the main threat on the night, turned and, finding himself in five yards of space, chanced his arm and smashed a low shot into the far bottom corner from over thirty yards out, keeper Ollie Bowles beaten by the sheer power and accuracy of the effort.
Seven minutes later, with the Arthurians still reeling from the concession of the first goal, the tie was put beyond them with a second, almost identical strike from the left. This time the ball was worked into the area but the strike was just as true, just as precise, Bowles unsighted as the ball sped past him into the far corner.
Harrow winger Will Payne was immediately summoned off the bench but it proved too little, too late, the Herts side seeing out the final ten minutes under some pressure but without conceding anything approaching a clear chance.
There was little to reproach the Arthurian side for, another strong display that only lacked the finishing touch proving not quite enough against a decent Herts League side. Herts must now wait a week to discover who they will face in the final at St George’s Park in the final. For the Arthurian League, the wait for their next shot at success will go on a little while longer.
Nobody will have felt the stinging pain of this semi-final defeat more than manager Billy Jenkins and his two assistants, Nicky Samra and Jon Hunter. All three have poured considerable time and energy into ensuring the Arthurian League’s inaugural appearance in the Inter-League Cup proved a successful one. The fact that the competition is only played on a biennial basis should only serve to increase the team’s resolve to go one better in two years’ time.
Following a narrow but relatively comfortable 1-0 victory over the Thames Valley League in the quarter-final, nobody in the Arthurian League camp was labouring under the impression that this would prove another stroll in the park. The two sides have met a couple of times in recent years and fixtures have always proved highly competitive. Indeed, the Herts League claimed the impressive scalp of the Southern Amateur League in the first round of this year’s competition with a penalty shootout win following a 2-2 draw in ninety minutes. The Herts League also have considerable pedigree in the event, having reached the final back in 2014, losing the final away to the Isle of Man League.
For this semi-final, played on the artificial surface at Hendon FC, manager Billy Jenkins was able to name a very similar squad to last time. There were several changes required in defence, with Ant Beddows and Sam Thomas (Carthusians) and Fraser Lane (Reptonians) unable to travel. Assistant manager Nicky Samra started at right-back with Brentwood’s Charlie Rolls at left-back and Ed Jackson partnering Andy Evans in the middle – making it three Reptonians out of four. Otherwise the side had a very familiar feel to it, the only other change from the starting XI in the quarter-final the addition of Tommy Redhead to the number ten role, skipper Craig Bonnar moving up front in place of the injured Jake Raine. Among the substitutes, Etonian Gus Shaw-Stewart deserved special mention as he travelled having already played for the Old Etonians in their League fixture against the Carthusians earlier in the day.
Conditions in north London for the 6.45pm kick-off were excellent with a light breeze and the pitch offering an immaculate surface for the players to get the ball down and play – in stark contrast to the rather heavy, uneven conditions on the grass at Corinthian-Casuals last time out. Both sides threatened early on, skipper Bonnar enjoyed the first chance of the game, smashing a shot just over the bar from the right side of the penalty area, before keeper Ollie Bowles was given his first test of the evening, a relatively straightforward shot that he claimed comfortably.
The Arthurians gradually began to impose themselves on their opponents, switching play confidently from side to side and unafraid to test the full-backs with a few direct balls down the channels. With fifteen minutes played, and the men in white clearly in the ascendency, one of the defining moments of the evening arrived. An excellent spell of possession inside the Herts half saw the ball worked out to the left and fed into Josh Riley. The Repton man, leading scorer in the Premier Division, appeared to have executed his effort to perfection, turning inside before lashing a shot towards the top corner. Somehow, the Herts keeper flung out a hand and the slightest touch of his fingertips proved sufficient to divert the ball onto the inside of the far post, the ball rolling along the goal line before being cleared to safety. Although they weren’t to know at the time, it would prove the closest the hosts would come to scoring all night.
Arthurian dominance continued in both possession and territory but the hosts were forced into an early change when centre-back Ed Jackson was forced off with a knee injury, his persistent tendonitis flaring up despite considerable rest in the build up to the tie. Alleynian Jake Fetherston was the replacement, requiring a re-jig from the manager, several players switching positions, including skipper Craig Bonnar who now dropped back into the number ten role. But the Arthurians remained on top, despite the disruption to the starting formation. Steady pressure down the left saw corners and free-kicks won, but despite some excellent deliveries from Charlie Rolls, the Herts League defended stoutly.
The opposition had, to this point, threatened very sporadically, their two front men rather starved of possession but looking lively whenever the ball was in their vicinity. On the half-hour mark they bared their teeth for the first time however, the striker holding the ball strongly on the left under pressure before whipping a cross in to the near post, his partner’s flick header flying just wide of the far post. But having escaped, the Arthurians were then dealt a second unfortunate blow when Nicky Samra was kicked strongly from behind and jarred his knee on landing. Although he tried to continue, manager Billy Jenkins was forced to make his second change, Shaw-Stewart a straight swap at right-back.
This time the disruption to the hosts’ play was noticeable, with the final fifteen minutes of the half a far more even contest between the two teams. For the first time on the night, play was now concentrated inside the Arthurian half, although the hosts defended diligently. Herts created one half-chance, a corner was cleared but a strong run down the left ended with a decent low shot that Bowles did well to get down to. The Arthurians launched a similar attack down their left, the resulting cross-shot evaded the keeper but there was nobody at the far post to apply the finishing touch.
Having already been forced into two changes, there was no sense in manager Jenkins making any further alterations at the break. Just as in the previous round against the Thames Valley League, the Arthurians remained confident that perseverance and a continuing commitment to get the ball down and play would eventually bring the desired rewards. And for much of the second half, there seemed little reason to doubt this optimism.
The Arthurians continued to out-pass their opponents, although the opening quarter of an hour brought very few chances. But as players began to tire and the game became more open, so the men in white began to find chinks in their opponents’ armour. Rolls whipped in another delicious cross from the left only for Tommy Redhead’s strong header to be well claimed by the keeper. The Arthurians then concocted their best move of the game, a flowing counter that involved one and two-touch football down the middle of the pitch only for Riley to fire his final effort just over the bar. Harry Larke then provided another fine cross with his left foot, Sam Fetherston again just too high with his attempted header.
As the game ticked into the final fifteen minutes, a goal seemed inevitable. And it duly arrived, but at the wrong end. Herts worked the ball down their left but there seemed little sense of danger until the winger, the main threat on the night, turned and, finding himself in five yards of space, chanced his arm and smashed a low shot into the far bottom corner from over thirty yards out, keeper Ollie Bowles beaten by the sheer power and accuracy of the effort.
Seven minutes later, with the Arthurians still reeling from the concession of the first goal, the tie was put beyond them with a second, almost identical strike from the left. This time the ball was worked into the area but the strike was just as true, just as precise, Bowles unsighted as the ball sped past him into the far corner.
Harrow winger Will Payne was immediately summoned off the bench but it proved too little, too late, the Herts side seeing out the final ten minutes under some pressure but without conceding anything approaching a clear chance.
There was little to reproach the Arthurian side for, another strong display that only lacked the finishing touch proving not quite enough against a decent Herts League side. Herts must now wait a week to discover who they will face in the final at St George’s Park in the final. For the Arthurian League, the wait for their next shot at success will go on a little while longer.
05-MAY 1-0 (AET) VS WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION LEAGUE
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP FINAL
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP FINAL
|
Silver Jubilee Park
Townsend Lane, London NW9 7NE |
Match report by David Lederman
Photograph by Andy Nunn
The Arthurian League Representative XI created their own small slice of history on Sunday afternoon when a goal from Old Forester Ben Hale nine minutes from the end of extra-time earned the Whites a 1-0 win over the West Yorkshire League in the final of the FA Inter League Cup at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium. The victory, coming at the first attempt for the Arthurian League in this biennial competition, ensures that they will now go on to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Finland this summer.
This victory was all the more remarkable given the rather extraordinary circumstances surrounding the Arthurians’ progress to the final. Having been defeated 2-0 by the Herts Senior County League in the semi-finals at Hendon FC in mid-March, manager Billy Jenkins and League Secretary Jon Hunter had assumed dreams of silverware had been dashed for the season, only for the FA to later discover that Herts had fielded an illegible player in the tie. With just over ten days to the final, the Arthurian League were reinstated and suddenly the management duo had to prepare a squad to travel north on the Bank Holiday weekend. Understandably, a number of players were unable to make the trip, with the entire contingent of Reptonians, this season’s League and Cup double winners, absent. Despite this, a strong squadron of sixteen met bright and early at Kings Cross station for the two-hour train journey north, followed by a short walk to the Lincoln stadium, a number of League officials and supporters in tow.
Conditions were perfect and, for almost the first time this year, a strong, warming sun greeted the players as they finally made their way out onto the pristine turf to warm up – the kick-off having been delayed by fifteen minutes due to West Yorkshire’s coach getting delayed in heavy traffic due to "Truckfest" on the way to the ground. Manager Billy Jenkins was able to rely on Brentwoods keeper Olly Bowles and a strong back four with young Sam Thomas on the right, Charlie Rolls on the left and the two Beddows brothers in the middle, Ant and Ashley. Skipper Pete Brooking returned to the midfield alongside Josh Banfield – fresh from completing the London Marathon in three hours – whilst the front four, shorn of the Arthurian League’s leading scorer Josh Riley, saw Etonian Gus Shaw-Stewart on the right, Jake Fetherston on the left and Craig Bonnar in behind Sam Fetherston up front. Five substitutes were named, including Foresters pair Ben Hale, who knew the ground well having spent three years at University in the city, and Tayo Felstead.
Given the lack of proper preparation for the game, and the number of players missing from the squad, it would have been easy for the Arthurian League side to consider themselves underdogs and fear a tricky start against a West Yorks side that had scored eight goals and conceded only two on their run to the final. Instead, however, the men in white settled quickly and dominated the opening twenty-five minutes’ action. Inside two minutes a swift move down the right freed Sam Fetherston and his pull back saw Craig Bonnar’s low shot across goal brilliantly saved by the Yorks keeper, who flung out his right leg to divert the effort wide of the post. The next chance arrived soon afterwards via a set-piece, Ash Beddows turning a corner back towards goal only for the ball to rebound back off the post.
The Yorkshire side eventually managed to compose themselves and enjoy a brief spell of possession but they soon found themselves under pressure once more, Jake Fetherston and Gus Shaw-Stewart dominating down the right and causing consistent problems for the over-worked Yorks left-back. Such was the dominance of the Arthurians at this stage that it forced a change in tactics from the opposition, with Yorkshire dropping deeper and content to play on the counter. The oceans of space down both flanks that Jake Fetherston and Shaw-Stewart had previously enjoyed were squeezed and the play became far more even, although a trio of bookings from the men in maroon highlighted which of the two teams was enduring the greater frustration.
The two Beddows brothers were now in the action and asked to tidy up a number of balls over the top but they did so with the minimum of fuss, keeper Olly Bowles with little to do in the opening half-hour. Sam Thomas, who enjoyed an almost faultless game at right-back, grew frustrated that play wasn’t being switched quicker across the back, but his defensive focus remained razor sharp as he covered behind the two centre halves superbly to clear a dangerous loose ball inside the Arthurian penalty area.
The final act of the first half saw the Yorkshire side build up play well and one of the two strikers turn adroitly on the edge of the box only to produce a weak final effort that was comfortably held by the Arthurians keeper. The half-time whistle signalled a familiar situation for the men in white, with the blank scoresheet failing to recognise the superiority of their play. In the quarter-finals against the Thames Valley League a 0-0 half-time score ended in a 1-0 win; in the semis against Herts County, two late goals produced a 2-0 defeat. Both times the Arthurians had been the better side, but the lack of a cutting edge was clear to see, an ounce more composure in the final third all that was lacking.
Manager Billy Jenkins rallied the troops at the break without changing any personnel – wary no doubt of the prospect of extra-time and the need to martial his resources carefully given the piercing sun and onset of fatigue that would surely arrive as the second half wore on. But once again the Arthurians made a fine start to the half, on the attack from the first whistle and carving out another chance as one low cross missed everyone inside the box before Sam Fetherston’s shot was deflected just wide.
This time the opposition recovered and the next ten minutes proved rather scrappy, neither side able to find their rhythm, the game devoid of goalmouth incident. But on the hour mark the first of several magnificent interventions from Brentwoods keeper Olly Bowles ensured that the score line remained blank. A swift counter saw the ball slipped between the two centre-halves, Ant Beddows momentarily appearing as if he was going to haul down the striker before thinking better of it. As the forward raced through a goal seemed certain, but Bowles narrowed the angle to perfection, stayed big and blocked the shot, only for the rebound to be turned back across the six yard box and somehow blasted over the bar with the goal gaping.
Billy Jenkins had seen enough and began to ring the changes with skipper Pete Brooking the first to make way, Henry Langley coming on in midfield in a bid to regain control of the ball. Five minutes later and Ben Hale came on for a tiring Sam Fetherston, who appeared exhausted but frustrated to be making way. The changes appeared to have the desired effect however, as the Arthurians began to regain the momentum and the side finished the match much the stronger of the two sides, despite the finishing touch continuing to elude them. Hale found himself clean through down the right but seemed caught in two minds whether to drive towards goal or cross for a teammate, in end doing neither and producing a tame chip straight into the keeper’s arms. Charlie Rolls then clipped a perfect ball over the top down the left that ended with Josh Banfield – who must have covered every blade of grass on the pitch twice over – clipping a shot inches wide of the far post. He tried something similar moments later but again the effort flew wide of the mark. Corners were forced, the keeper blocked one shot, a second was deflected just over the angle of post and bar. The Arthurians simply couldn’t find a way through. Just as in the first half, Yorkshire produced a late scare, Ant Beddows forced to back-pedal in a one-on-one situation but the experienced Carthusian did just enough to put the striker off and the final effort was mishit, the ball dribbling wide of goal.
Extra-time then followed, with both sides now permitted to make an extra change – something of a necessity given the shattered looks on the faces of most of the players as they gathered in the middle of the pitch to listen to some final words of encouragement from the coaching staff. Tayo Felstead replaced the tiring Gus Shaw-Stewart on the right for the Arthurians with Billy Jenkins keeping his final substitution in hand.
The first period of extra-time began with the best chance of the entire match falling to West Yorkshire. Yet again it was Brentwoods keeper Olly Bowles to the rescue for the Arthurians as he produced two outstanding saves in quick succession, spreading himself to block another one-on-one before somehow reacting to divert the follow up shot over the bar from point blank range as the ball was cut back across goal. The tension was almost unbearable, with even those on the sidelines now perspiring furiously as the sun continued to beat down. The Arthurians responded with a chance of their own, Banfield’s effort from the edge of the box well saved by the Yorks keeper down to his left.
With ten minutes remaining the Arthurian League made their final change of the game, Will Payne replacing an exhausted Sam Fetherston and the Harrow man looked lively from the off, nearly causing a mistake from the keeper as he challenged for a high ball which eventually ran loose inside the penalty area. It would prove a short-lived reprieve for the northerners. Moments later the Arthurian League produced a swift, incisive move down their right, Craig Bonnar exchanging passes and driving towards the byline before looking up and delivering a pinpoint cross beyond the keeper and into the path of the fast-arriving Ben Hale, who gleefully slid in to fire home from five yards out. The bench emptied and chaotic celebrations ensued.
The final eight minutes were seen out with relatively little fuss, the men in white managing to keep the opposition at arms’ length, despite having to defend a couple of corners in process. The final whistle signified a successful and remarkable end to a journey that had begun with a come-from-behind win over the Amateur Football Combination in the cold at Dorking Wanderers FC in late January and ended with a gruelling two-hour battle against a valiant West Yorkshire side in scorching sunshine at Lincoln City FC in May. Ant Beddows, a loyal and distinguished Rep Team servant over many seasons, was given the honour of accompanying Pete Brooking up to collect the magnificent trophy from the FA Representative and the celebrations could begin in earnest – all expertly captured, as ever, by the camera lens of Andy Nunn.
This was a superb effort from all involved at the Arthurian League and especially the sixteen players who gave their all in tough conditions on the day. The considerable reward, in addition to the trophy, is a trip to Finland as the official representatives of the English FA later this summer in the UEFA Regions Cup. England have been drawn in a group alongside the hosts, Portugal and Latvia with final dates of the tournament yet to be confirmed.
Many congratulations to all involved on a historic achievement.
Photograph by Andy Nunn
The Arthurian League Representative XI created their own small slice of history on Sunday afternoon when a goal from Old Forester Ben Hale nine minutes from the end of extra-time earned the Whites a 1-0 win over the West Yorkshire League in the final of the FA Inter League Cup at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium. The victory, coming at the first attempt for the Arthurian League in this biennial competition, ensures that they will now go on to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Finland this summer.
This victory was all the more remarkable given the rather extraordinary circumstances surrounding the Arthurians’ progress to the final. Having been defeated 2-0 by the Herts Senior County League in the semi-finals at Hendon FC in mid-March, manager Billy Jenkins and League Secretary Jon Hunter had assumed dreams of silverware had been dashed for the season, only for the FA to later discover that Herts had fielded an illegible player in the tie. With just over ten days to the final, the Arthurian League were reinstated and suddenly the management duo had to prepare a squad to travel north on the Bank Holiday weekend. Understandably, a number of players were unable to make the trip, with the entire contingent of Reptonians, this season’s League and Cup double winners, absent. Despite this, a strong squadron of sixteen met bright and early at Kings Cross station for the two-hour train journey north, followed by a short walk to the Lincoln stadium, a number of League officials and supporters in tow.
Conditions were perfect and, for almost the first time this year, a strong, warming sun greeted the players as they finally made their way out onto the pristine turf to warm up – the kick-off having been delayed by fifteen minutes due to West Yorkshire’s coach getting delayed in heavy traffic due to "Truckfest" on the way to the ground. Manager Billy Jenkins was able to rely on Brentwoods keeper Olly Bowles and a strong back four with young Sam Thomas on the right, Charlie Rolls on the left and the two Beddows brothers in the middle, Ant and Ashley. Skipper Pete Brooking returned to the midfield alongside Josh Banfield – fresh from completing the London Marathon in three hours – whilst the front four, shorn of the Arthurian League’s leading scorer Josh Riley, saw Etonian Gus Shaw-Stewart on the right, Jake Fetherston on the left and Craig Bonnar in behind Sam Fetherston up front. Five substitutes were named, including Foresters pair Ben Hale, who knew the ground well having spent three years at University in the city, and Tayo Felstead.
Given the lack of proper preparation for the game, and the number of players missing from the squad, it would have been easy for the Arthurian League side to consider themselves underdogs and fear a tricky start against a West Yorks side that had scored eight goals and conceded only two on their run to the final. Instead, however, the men in white settled quickly and dominated the opening twenty-five minutes’ action. Inside two minutes a swift move down the right freed Sam Fetherston and his pull back saw Craig Bonnar’s low shot across goal brilliantly saved by the Yorks keeper, who flung out his right leg to divert the effort wide of the post. The next chance arrived soon afterwards via a set-piece, Ash Beddows turning a corner back towards goal only for the ball to rebound back off the post.
The Yorkshire side eventually managed to compose themselves and enjoy a brief spell of possession but they soon found themselves under pressure once more, Jake Fetherston and Gus Shaw-Stewart dominating down the right and causing consistent problems for the over-worked Yorks left-back. Such was the dominance of the Arthurians at this stage that it forced a change in tactics from the opposition, with Yorkshire dropping deeper and content to play on the counter. The oceans of space down both flanks that Jake Fetherston and Shaw-Stewart had previously enjoyed were squeezed and the play became far more even, although a trio of bookings from the men in maroon highlighted which of the two teams was enduring the greater frustration.
The two Beddows brothers were now in the action and asked to tidy up a number of balls over the top but they did so with the minimum of fuss, keeper Olly Bowles with little to do in the opening half-hour. Sam Thomas, who enjoyed an almost faultless game at right-back, grew frustrated that play wasn’t being switched quicker across the back, but his defensive focus remained razor sharp as he covered behind the two centre halves superbly to clear a dangerous loose ball inside the Arthurian penalty area.
The final act of the first half saw the Yorkshire side build up play well and one of the two strikers turn adroitly on the edge of the box only to produce a weak final effort that was comfortably held by the Arthurians keeper. The half-time whistle signalled a familiar situation for the men in white, with the blank scoresheet failing to recognise the superiority of their play. In the quarter-finals against the Thames Valley League a 0-0 half-time score ended in a 1-0 win; in the semis against Herts County, two late goals produced a 2-0 defeat. Both times the Arthurians had been the better side, but the lack of a cutting edge was clear to see, an ounce more composure in the final third all that was lacking.
Manager Billy Jenkins rallied the troops at the break without changing any personnel – wary no doubt of the prospect of extra-time and the need to martial his resources carefully given the piercing sun and onset of fatigue that would surely arrive as the second half wore on. But once again the Arthurians made a fine start to the half, on the attack from the first whistle and carving out another chance as one low cross missed everyone inside the box before Sam Fetherston’s shot was deflected just wide.
This time the opposition recovered and the next ten minutes proved rather scrappy, neither side able to find their rhythm, the game devoid of goalmouth incident. But on the hour mark the first of several magnificent interventions from Brentwoods keeper Olly Bowles ensured that the score line remained blank. A swift counter saw the ball slipped between the two centre-halves, Ant Beddows momentarily appearing as if he was going to haul down the striker before thinking better of it. As the forward raced through a goal seemed certain, but Bowles narrowed the angle to perfection, stayed big and blocked the shot, only for the rebound to be turned back across the six yard box and somehow blasted over the bar with the goal gaping.
Billy Jenkins had seen enough and began to ring the changes with skipper Pete Brooking the first to make way, Henry Langley coming on in midfield in a bid to regain control of the ball. Five minutes later and Ben Hale came on for a tiring Sam Fetherston, who appeared exhausted but frustrated to be making way. The changes appeared to have the desired effect however, as the Arthurians began to regain the momentum and the side finished the match much the stronger of the two sides, despite the finishing touch continuing to elude them. Hale found himself clean through down the right but seemed caught in two minds whether to drive towards goal or cross for a teammate, in end doing neither and producing a tame chip straight into the keeper’s arms. Charlie Rolls then clipped a perfect ball over the top down the left that ended with Josh Banfield – who must have covered every blade of grass on the pitch twice over – clipping a shot inches wide of the far post. He tried something similar moments later but again the effort flew wide of the mark. Corners were forced, the keeper blocked one shot, a second was deflected just over the angle of post and bar. The Arthurians simply couldn’t find a way through. Just as in the first half, Yorkshire produced a late scare, Ant Beddows forced to back-pedal in a one-on-one situation but the experienced Carthusian did just enough to put the striker off and the final effort was mishit, the ball dribbling wide of goal.
Extra-time then followed, with both sides now permitted to make an extra change – something of a necessity given the shattered looks on the faces of most of the players as they gathered in the middle of the pitch to listen to some final words of encouragement from the coaching staff. Tayo Felstead replaced the tiring Gus Shaw-Stewart on the right for the Arthurians with Billy Jenkins keeping his final substitution in hand.
The first period of extra-time began with the best chance of the entire match falling to West Yorkshire. Yet again it was Brentwoods keeper Olly Bowles to the rescue for the Arthurians as he produced two outstanding saves in quick succession, spreading himself to block another one-on-one before somehow reacting to divert the follow up shot over the bar from point blank range as the ball was cut back across goal. The tension was almost unbearable, with even those on the sidelines now perspiring furiously as the sun continued to beat down. The Arthurians responded with a chance of their own, Banfield’s effort from the edge of the box well saved by the Yorks keeper down to his left.
With ten minutes remaining the Arthurian League made their final change of the game, Will Payne replacing an exhausted Sam Fetherston and the Harrow man looked lively from the off, nearly causing a mistake from the keeper as he challenged for a high ball which eventually ran loose inside the penalty area. It would prove a short-lived reprieve for the northerners. Moments later the Arthurian League produced a swift, incisive move down their right, Craig Bonnar exchanging passes and driving towards the byline before looking up and delivering a pinpoint cross beyond the keeper and into the path of the fast-arriving Ben Hale, who gleefully slid in to fire home from five yards out. The bench emptied and chaotic celebrations ensued.
The final eight minutes were seen out with relatively little fuss, the men in white managing to keep the opposition at arms’ length, despite having to defend a couple of corners in process. The final whistle signified a successful and remarkable end to a journey that had begun with a come-from-behind win over the Amateur Football Combination in the cold at Dorking Wanderers FC in late January and ended with a gruelling two-hour battle against a valiant West Yorkshire side in scorching sunshine at Lincoln City FC in May. Ant Beddows, a loyal and distinguished Rep Team servant over many seasons, was given the honour of accompanying Pete Brooking up to collect the magnificent trophy from the FA Representative and the celebrations could begin in earnest – all expertly captured, as ever, by the camera lens of Andy Nunn.
This was a superb effort from all involved at the Arthurian League and especially the sixteen players who gave their all in tough conditions on the day. The considerable reward, in addition to the trophy, is a trip to Finland as the official representatives of the English FA later this summer in the UEFA Regions Cup. England have been drawn in a group alongside the hosts, Portugal and Latvia with final dates of the tournament yet to be confirmed.
Many congratulations to all involved on a historic achievement.
