THE PRESIDENT’S TROPHY FINAL PRODUCED A DRAMATIC AFFAIR WHICH SAW WAKEFIELD ATHLETIC “A” OVERCOME A TOUGH ATTACK-MINDED WEST END TERRIERS OUTFIT THAT WAS FINALLY SETTLED BY A PENALTY SHOOTOUT.

Wakefield & District Sunday Football League - Sunday 5th May 2024.

Wakefield Athletic “A" vs West End Terriers (Fulltime: 3-3)
Athletic “A" won 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

Wakefield Athletic “A" fought back from behind twice from 2-0 and 3-1 down at one stage before hauling themselves level at 3-3 and converting a perfect five out of five spot-kicks to win 5-3 in the penalty shootout to lift the President's Trophy at the Nostell MW complex last Sunday afternoon in front of a large crowd aided by the sunny weather.

The West End Terriers, with their attacking prowess of Matthew Simpson, Farrell Morris and Cory Woodward spelled danger for the Wakefield outfit from the outset. Morris missed a good opportunity in the opening minute before the same player's threat was nullified by full-back Matt Orme who was able to shepherd him away from the danger-zone to safety.

The Hemsworth-based side continued to cause all sorts of problems for the unsettled Athletic side who saw keeper Will Rushforth come to his sides rescue with a save at the feet of Morris before a well-executed corner-kick by Terriers was cleared off the line by Craig Holdsworth.

The first real chance Athletic cultivated came in the 23rd minute when a long-throw by Ash Downing sent flying wingman Harrison Byrne wide on the left-flank which saw his surging run and well driven cross across the face of the Terriers goal diverted for a corner. However, three minutes later, the Terriers deservedly took a 1-0 lead when a long punt caused a mix-up in the Athletics' heart of defence which was exploited by the brave Jake Kirkham who got the vital touch past the keeper and under pressure from recovering defenders. Two minutes later, the Terriers doubled their lead when another long punt from the Terriers half caught out the patched-up Athletic rearguard and saw the ever-dangerous Farrell Morris read the situation before dinking the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

The shell-shocked Athletic side pulled a goal back against the run of play when the outstanding attacking play of full-back Matt Orme picked-up a pass from Dalton Holford which saw him charge through on the right-flank before sending in a deep teasing cross at the far post which saw goal-poacher Jack Longley pounce to head bravely on target at the far post from a tight angle under pressure from towering defenders to pull a goal back for his side.

The Terriers continued to cause havoc on every attack and were unlucky not to increase their lead their dominant play deserved with Orme producing a recovering challenge of the highest quality to deny an almost certain goal from Morris in the 37th minute. However, three minutes from half-time, Athletic forced their way back into the game to make it 2-2 when a good run and shot by Ash Downing forced the Terriers keeper Kailum Johnson into a parried stop only to find midfielder Sean Lawson alert to pounce and drill the loose ball home to keep his sides hopes alive.

The Terriers suffered a jolt with their key midfielder and captain Christain Elvidge going off injured inside ten minutes on the turn. His side regained their lead minutes later when a Simpson corner from the right was parried by the Athletic keeper only to find the Dave North whose deflection saw Jamie Radford head in from close-range to give his side a 3-2 lead.

The Hemsworth outfit threatened to score more goals at will and saw Morris force Athletic keeper Rushforth into the "save of the game" pushing the ball onto the bar following a rasping close-range effort from Simpson.

The Athletic management introduced Dominic Taylor, Ted Dunning, James Crabtree and Luke Barraclough into the fray and this move changed the course of the match posing more control and threat for the first time in this cup final. With eight minute of play left, Athletic hauled themselves level at 3-3. Clever link-up play of Taylor, Barraclough and Dunning forced a corner and the resultant set-piece from the right by Taylor found Dunning at the far post who hammered his effort into the roof of the net for the equaliser.

It was Athletic, who at this stage looked more likely to find the winning goal which saw them go close through Taylor, Lawson and Dunning as the game ended with a tense finish for the Terriers who were to rue missed chances in their dominant first-half performance.

Wakefield Athletic “A" proved to be the shootout Kings, scoring a perfect five out of five consecutive spot-kicks in a dramatic end to this goal glut final winning 5-3. On target in the penalty shootout, were Ash Downing, Luke Barraclough, Dominic Taylor, David Mitchell with captain Dalton Holford hitting the vital spot kick with the scores at 4-3 with one spot kick each remaining to help his side to their second silverware of the season.

The man of the match award sponsored by Pennines Trophies (Heckmondwike) was won by defender David Mitchell of Wakefield Athletic “A".

The match balls were sponsored by Lightwaves Leisure & Community Centre (Wakefield).