Hampshire FA Saturday Plate Winners Testlands

MATCH REPORT: Hampshire FA Saturday Plate Final

John Moody for Hampshire FA
Brading Town Reserves v Testlands

HAMPSHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Saturday PLATE CUP FINAL

Brading Town Reserves 1 Testlands 2

In glorious weather, more appropriate to cricket than football, the 2019-2020 Hampshire Plate final was played at Beatrice Avenue, home of East Cowes Victoria on the Isle of Wight on Saturday 6th June 2021. The finalists, Brading Town Reserves from the Isle of Wight League and Testlands F.C. from the Southampton Senior League, faced each other at high noon in a game which started in a spectacular fashion and also ended in one.

In the fourth minute of the match Testlands' Brad Frampton pulled up and had to be escorted from the pitch to take no further part in the game. He was replaced by Ewan McCaffery. The change, however, did not effect Testlands and they were the first to strike when Ron Devereux waltzed through the Brading defence to lay on an easy chance for Dan Spence to roll the ball into the empty net (6th minute).

The goal gave Testlands the confidence they needed after their early setback and a good move between Lee Wells and Dan Spencer resulted in the Brading 'keeper, Glenn Woods making a good save from Sean Haines.

Brading hit back from a free kick by Louis Strickland but Testlands' 'keeper Malc Davie held the shot well and it was Testlands who dominated the play for a period when Haines headed against the bar and a few minutes later he put in a penetrating run but his shot was scrambled away.

Testlands lost another player in the 26th minute when unfortunately Haines reacted to a heavy challenge and was red carded. Down to 10 men Testlands still pressed forward and Mike Graham just missed with a cross shot that went just wide of the far post. The pressure paid off, however when Martin McCann laid on a chance for Spencer and Woods who appeared to have the shot covered let the ball go under his body and over the line.

Two attempts by Brading late in the half one from a header by Josh Robjant and a free kick by Strickland were off target.

At the start of the second half Testlands made the first substitution taking McCaffery off to be replaced by Max Brady and an an early substitution by Brading changed Josh Woodnutt for Charlie Bigh and this appeared to give their defence a little more flexibility.

Brading were not able to fight their way back into the game and Testlands' Spencer was given a chance to complete his hat trick but the ball bounced awkwardly and he screwed it wide.

The game took another unexpected twist in 90th minute when Brading's Fallone appeared to threaten with upraised arms and he too was given a red card. Despite the delay over the incident Brading came straight back and Charlie Boirand (a late substitution for Aaron Bennell) picked up a rebound and headed home.

From the kick-off Brading poured forward and forced a corner but Davie made a point blank save and the ball was cleared and the final whistle was blown.

The match was sponsored by Child Trophies and the Referee was Darren Cooley, assisted by Chris Gunnell and Andy Jones and the Fourth Official was Calum McFarlane.

The Player of the Match award went to Testlands' Martin McCann.

 

Squads:

Brading Town Reserves – Glen Wood, Josh Woodnutt, Matt Trundle, James Woodhouse, Toby Davison, Niall Powell, Tom Shaw, Max Fallone, Aarron Bennett, Louis Strickland, Josh Robjant, Alex Boirand, Charlie Bigh, Ben Charman, Tom Vockins and Max Oxenham.

Testlands F.C. – Malcolm Davie, Mike Graham, Ryan Yeo, Martin McCann, Lewis Bridle, Lee Wells, Brad Frampton, Harrison Weeks, Sean Haines, Ron Devereux, Dan Spencer, Martin Castle, Ewan McCaffery, Max Brady, Jake Biffin and Dan Scott.