Horsforth St Margaret’s fall to cup final defeat

By Jill Stocks

it was a dry but bitterly cold afternoon at Nethermoor for the Wharfedale and District FA Sunday Cup Final last Sunday in front of a lively crowd. 

The Maggies faced Yeadon side Ventus United, who won the first Sunday Cup Final in 1970, at the home of Guiseley AFC in a match not short on goals, particularly in the first half.

The first came as early as the third minute when Matty Dempsey headed Ventus into the lead from a free kick.

Chris Bellfield’s solo run in the seventh minute was eventually stopped by Jordan Moorhouse before his cross to Jake Kilbride two minutes later led to a low shot past Moorhouse and the Horsforth equaliser. 

Ventus went on to regain the lead in the 15th minute with a break from Luke Thomson past Callan Burke in the Horsforth goal.

Ventus went on to increase their lead in the 25th minute through a Matthias Britton volley, before Horsforth responded with a shot from Kurtis Heyes kept out by Moorhouse. 

Horsforth did go on to get one back in the 35th minute from a corner tapped in by Matty Nebard. But a minute later Ventus got another when the save from Burke was put in on the rebound by Luke Thompson.

Bellfield’s cross again almost led to a Horsforth goal two minutes before halftime but the sides went into the break with the score remaining 4-2 to Ventus. 

In what could be called a game of two halves the second half was short on goals. Horsforth had a shot cleared off the line in the 52nd minute before the only goal of the second half went to Ventus in the 55th minute. A free kick for Ventus sees Adam Turner put the ball in the back of the net after the ball rebounded from Burke’s save. 

Horsforth gave their best in the rest of the second half, and there was a good effort from Kurtis Heyes in the 62nd minute. It needed a good defensive display from Ventus to stop them getting into the final third.

Nonetheless the last 20 minutes of the 90 were quite quiet and the match finished 5-2 to Ventus United. 

Thanks to Wharfedale and District FA officials and statisticians for their assistance with this article. 

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