The OBDSFL can we very proud of the efforts put into making this a spectacle as it really paid off. A great stadium, well managed with very obvious efforts including the displays and social media work. They can also be proud of both teams, as they were a credit to themselves and the league today. Cup finals often bring out the real character of players. During the season games are played with little pressure but cup finals can either make or break a player.

From Vista’s perspective we met early on in the day hours before the kick off and chose to do some normal activities to relax everyone and take our minds off the final. By the time we arrived at Bromley FC everyone seemed ready and it showed. Our warm up was intense and every person actively added something.

As the game started Vista instantly got down to doing what we do best. We played the ball around using the space of the pitch wisely and calving opportunities. The front 4 including Andrew Dalhouse, Andrew Thompson, Dominic Weston and Ashley Shepard threatened again and again and had it not been for a lack of ruthlessness they may have scored an earlier goal. Dominic Weston had a great chance cutting inside from the left before firing a shot high into the corner but the Elmstead keeper was equal to it producing a great save. Shortly after Andrew Thompson had a few half chances but Vista couldn’t find the right opening as Elmstead defended smartly. Elmstead had gone through periods of not retaining the ball but continued to be a threat through the combative midfield and speedster striker who looked like he needed just one pass of quality to get through. Both teams continued to probe but fortunately for us we found a breakthrough. A great ball into the channel from a goal kick from Steve Hanley fell to Andrew Dalhouse who held off one man before skipping another and delivering a low cross, which Andrew Thompson expertly latched onto and converted. The little and large partnership of Dalhouse and Thompson proved hard for Elmstead to handle as they both were alternating positions.

Elmstead probed and probed and the game possibly would have had a different outcome had they converted as shortly after Vistas goal they got their first clear opportunity excluding the offside goal, which they converted. Elmstead played a direct ball over the top, which was met by their striker who outpaced the whole Vista defense before striking with his left foot and hitting the crossbar. In all honesty he took the opportunity really well and given the pitch quality and the ball bouncing he did extremely well to connect how we did but it wasn’t to be. Cruelly for Elmstead shortly after, the combination of Dalhouse and Thompson came to fruition again. Vista midfielders Siao Blackwood and Adrian Browne had full control of the game often picking excellent passes or linking up well with the strikers and when they Dominic Weston opened up with a long diagonal pass which was contested by Dalhouse and played off to Thompson with a great pass he equally presented Dalhouse with an easy finish. The keeper saved Dalhouse’s first attempt and had he not converted the rebound he would have been quite frustrated had he not scored.

The second half played out quite differently to the 1^st half. With the 2-0 lead Vista opted to move the ball smartly rather than rush the attack and at times it did take the sting out of the game but the midfield and defense remained in control and the few opportunities we did attack it looked threatening.

Perhaps the goal of the game was very reminiscent of Vista at full flow this year. A move that started at left back with Kwabena Osei and involved Adrian Browne, Victor Okisor, Andrew Thompson, Ashley Shepard and Andrew Dalhouse got a great reaction from the crowd. Interlink play between Osei and Browne was great and Osei continued his run before playing the ball into Thompson. Osei then received the ball again and played the ball into Dalhouse who held the ball up before using the dummy run from Ashley Shepard to reverse the pass into Thompson who had also continued his run. With great style Thompson sat the keeper down before executing a delicate chip, which ended up in the top corner. Thompson had been excellent all game and this were well deserved.

Shortly after this goal substitutes Ohran Stewart, Ciro Donadio and Victor Okisor entered the field for Ashley Shepard, Dominic Weston and Adrian Browne. After coming on Ohran Stewart instantly got involved in the mix and played a whole host of sharp incisive passes into the path of Andrew Thompson of which he was unlucky not to finish. Probably one of the most frustrating was a dangerous ball in between goalkeeper and defense which Dalhouse or Okisor who also joined the field should have converted.

Elmstead again kept pushing for that one opportunity and it was no surprise the goal came from their speedster Marcus Black. A defensive mix up allowed Black to get in between the defenders in the box and he converted well.

By this time the game was probably beyond Elmstead with Vista opting for playing out the game rather than force any other opportunities but Elmstead continued to show their character.

A great game displayed with great character and everyone involved can be extremely pleased!

Watch the Final Here

1st Half

2nd Half