Totty Cup final: Wath C of E make history against Lacewood

A Ben Nicholson hat trick plus strikes from Billy Black and Tom Yates and an own goal helped put Wath out of sight before Lacewood threatened a late comeback.

It proved to a highly competitive final with ruthless finishing from a confident Wath outfit proving the difference.

Wath – in their first final for 80 years – looked to move the ball quickly and find the gaps in the opposition back line.

Lacewood on the other hand opted for balls over the top, looking to spring Harley Norris forward at any given opportunity.

Both sides showed some superb touches with some excellent skill and composure on display.

One major weapon for Wath was the long throw of Yates which caused countless problems and almost led to them taking an early lead.

Yates’ throw released Nicholson who drilled towards the far post only to see his shot drift wide.

But with ten minutes gone Wath were ahead.

Black worked space well on the left and sent in a cross which was headed into his own net by a Lacewood defender.

Six minutes later, the lead was doubled. Yates powered a free kick from wide left on goal, sending the ball sailing over the head of Lacewood keeper Madison Brannan and into the back of the net.

Lacewood fought back well and twice went close to scoring through Norris.

First he was sent racing clear only to clip a shot just wide of the post.

And moments later he wrestled space on the right and fired on goal, rattling the outside of the post.

But it was a case of third time lucky for Norris on 22 minutes.

A lovely defence splitting pass from Tyler Pugh sent Norris clear and he clipped a shot over the onrushing Josh Beck.

The two minutes before half time were arguably when the game was decided.

It appeared as though Lacewood had equalised when Norris poked a shot under Beck but referee Gordon Swann ruled it out for a foul in the coming together.

Almost instantly, Wath broke with skipper Jack Lanceley sending a ball down the line.

Lacewood keeper Brannan raced out allowing Nicholson to knock the ball past her and fire in from an unbelievable angle.

It proved to be a hammerblow from which Lacewood would struggle to recover.

And seven minutes into the second half, Wath effectively put the game to bed.

A clearance from a corner sent Nicholson racing clear from half way and he showed superb composure to fire over Brannan from the edge of the box.

Daniel Aksunger drew a superb save from Brannan after firing first time on a well-timed run to the edge of the box.

Norris shot just wide from the edge of the box for Lacewood seconds before Wath grabbed their fifth.

Crisp build-up play took Wath into the box with Nicholson flicking a pass to Kai Grainger whose shot was saved only to come back out to Nicholson who secured his hat trick from close range.

And with 11 minutes to go Wath rounded off their scoring.

Yates tested Brannan’s reactions with a long range drive which she brilliantly tipped wide.

Just when it seemed as though the game was dead and buried, Lacewood produced a remarkable late rally.

Bailey Ingram was put in on the right and managed to find the far corner from a tight angle to reduce the deficit.

And Lacewood scored again when Norris slotted under the keeper from the edge of the box.

But time ran out on their comeback with the final whistle sounding soon afterwards.

Lacewood: Madison Brannan, Tyler Pugh, Charlie Jones, Jayden Middleton, Ben Wray, Harrison Link, Brandon Hole, Jack Sucevic, Maisie Langley, Lia Addy, Beau Brown, Callum Aitken, Finlay O’Grady, Charlie Winks, Billy-Bob Willoughby, Taylor Ingram, Bailey Ingram, Harley Norris.

Wath C of E: Josh Beck, Jack Lanceley, Kai Grainger, Joshua Backhouse, Logan Leake, Tom Yates, Billy Black, Keyan Yazigan, Dorian Fenton, Levi Hallam, Daniel Aksunger, Ben Nicholson.