Unbeaten NWX look to clinch cup double
Foster fires winner as Division 1 champions hit back to beat Barbarians
NWX FC stretched their unbeaten record to 24 games as they lifted the Vic French Cup at Thatcham Town FC on Sunday.
The club – Northworx Groundwork’s from Thatcham – completed a league and cup double in only their second season in the league after beating White Hart Barbarians 2-1 in the final.
It would have been an even more comfortable victory had it not been for a superb display from the Barbarians keeper Ryan Ford.
NWX bossed the first half, but were caught pushing too many men forward in the 35th minute and White Hart striker Jack Blackman took advantage to fire his side ahead.
Barbarians tired in the second half and struggled to contain Jack Husbands down the right.
But NWX still struggled to break through until Phil Coates’ header sent Harry Murtagh away to poke the ball under Ford.
The Barbarians keeper then pulled off a great save to deny
Shawn Foster.
But in the 75th minute, a flowing team move ended with Husbands crossing for Foster to tuck away the winner.
The Division 1 champions have now set their sights on the treble when they face Premier Division title-chasers Paggies Bar in the final of the Knockout Cup at Lambourn on May 1.
Paggies moved five points clear at the top of the table after romping to a 9-0 victory over bottom club Thatcham Tornadoes.
Diamond FC’s title hopes suffered a terminal blow as they were beaten 3-2 by OLA Prestige.
And Woolton Hill Argyle battled out a hard-fought 1-1 draw with AFC Hermitage.
In Division 1, Berkshire Wanderers won 4-3 against Black Horse (Thatcham).