Trowell had embarked on their journey of reaching the finals of the Saturday Trophy by beating Holy Spirit Celtic, Attenborough Colts, 2nd division Cotgrave Colts and West Bridgford Wallabies along the way The game was played at the neutral venue of Burton Joyce’s ground.
Trowell’s opponents, Hucknall Rolls Royce had firmly established themselves in the 2nd division, the same one that Trowell would be playing in next season after already winning the title in league 3.
From the off both teams seemed quite evenly matched as they both began to find each others qualities and played accordingly. On 11 minutes Trowell’s front man Oliver Severn opened the scoring with a strike that had the keeper beat. A perfect start for Trowell and particularly for Ollie who had missed his last few games because of a broken wrist, an injury he was still carrying. His strike partner Faron Langley made numerous runs through Rolls Royce’s defence but couldn’t find the back of the net. From the back, Tom Lock in goal and his defence of Ben Jeffery, Lewis Beaumont, Charlie Hosker and Adam Morley had a difficult job throughout, keeping the two big forwards of the other team at bay. Oliver Sharrett, playing in midfield, had a storming game as he held the ball up and played it around with confidence.
The second half of the game saw changes made to Trowell with Ryan Liversidge now between the posts and Matthew Maplestone coming into defence. Worthy of mention was also Ryan Malone who was having a battle in midfield and bravely playing with two broken fingers, such was his determination and commitment to his team.
As the game began to ebb and flow Rolls Royce scored an equaliser from a cross from the right, as the ball bobbled around it was eventually headed in. Trowell looked certain to score again and chances came and went as Rolls Royce kept Trowell at bay. Oliver Severn almost won the game for Trowell at the death but could only watch as his shot went passed the far post.
But the two teams could not be separated at the final whistle, and so with the scoreline at 1 – 1, extra time was to be played. Once again, Trowell’s goalkeepers were swapped and other changes to the team were made as players now began to tire, the first period passed with few chances and penalties loomed. Yet again Trowell’s two goalkeepers swapped over, Late in the 2nd period of extra time Oliver Severn made a fantastic run on his own from Trowell’s half all the way to Royce’s 18 yard area, taking on 3 players in the process, his shot looked goal bound into the right corner, but the keeper made an outstanding save to tip the ball round the post for a corner kick, Charlie Sanders delivered it and Ben Jeffery met it only to see his header cannon back off the crossbar. At the end of extra time the score was still 1 – 1, and so, a penalty shootout.
Oliver Severn took Trowell into the lead as he converted his penalty with power. Rolls Royce then brought it back level with an unsaveable strike that went in off the post. Oliver Sharratt then stepped up but unfortunately struck the ball down the middle, the keeper somewhat lucky to not have moved saved the shot. But luck was on Trowell’s side as Royce’s next penalty was awfully struck and the ball missed the right hand post by some distance. Matthew Green scored Trowell’s next making the score 2- 1 in Trowell’s favour but Royce replied with their next one with a shot that was rocketed straight down the middle. Faron Langley took Trowell’s 3rd and struck it straight down the centre of goal and scored. Royce’s next penalty was missed as it blazed over the crossbar. It then all fell onto Adam Morley’s shoulders as he needed to score his penalty that would win Trowell the game, and so the ever-confident defender coolly converted his spot-kick. The following scenes were reminiscent of any major cup final as Trowell celebrated a fantastic season that had seen them win the double, beating higher division sides along the way.
Attendance 142
Possession Trowell 54% – Rolls Royce 46%