Blues crowned Velocity Trophy Champions

By Aaron Toubian

They say that in life, nothing worth having comes easy. Ahmet Rifat’s Wingate & Finchley team have more than proven that statement true, as the Blues secured a first piece of silverware in fifteen years, with a 1-0 triumph over Ramsgate, in the Isthmian League Cup Final.

After an agonising 109 minutes of football, it was Ipswich Town loanee, Afi Adebayo, who wrote his name into the history books, with a thunderbolt into the roof of the net. The jubilant chaos that ensued was a moment that will live long in the memory of the 200-odd Wingate & Finchley supporters behind the goal.

First half heroics from goalkeeper Charlie Grainger and captain Billy Cracknell kept it goalless at the break. In the final moments of the ninety (and the six added on), both Romeo Akinola and Loïc Hernandez forced strong saves out of Ramsgate keeper, Dillon Addai.

The longer the contest went on, the clearer it became that just one moment of quality would be enough for glory. From the moment he entered the fray on minute 75, semi-final hero Remy-Lee Bennison put in the ultimate winger’s display. It almost looked like he would be the eventual hero.

However, ten minutes from time, Bennison was the provider for 18-year-old Adebayo, who unleashed a cracker into the goal’s ceiling. The post-match celebrations were the perfect ending to what has been a difficult season on and off the pitch, capturing the true spirit of the joyous, community club that Wingate & Finchley continues to be.

Photos courtesy of Martin Addison. The full Cup Final album can be found here