Defiant Bowers claim Cordell Cup with hard-fought win over Hutton

Defiant Bowers claim Cordell Cup with hard-fought win over Hutton

Bowers & Pitsea Res 3 – 2 Hutton U23

Len Cordell Cup Final | at Lower Road (Hullbridge Sports FC) |

Thursday 24 th April 2025 | Att: 186

Match Report by Scott W [@ScottMHC14]
Another rare midweek match was taken in here with the second ESL Cup Final I’ve
watched this season, with North Division runners-up Bowers & Pitsea Res taking
on new side Hutton U23 from South division in this Len Cordell Cup Final. Bowers
got past Waltham Abbey Res, May & Baker Res and then Barking U23 in their
semi-final on spot-kicks. Hutton had to defeat Billericay Town Res & Heybridge
Swifts Res to get here and this match began with an understandably cagey
attitude from both sides as they sought to find their rhythm. Bowers did start
having more ball time, as centre-back Max Dorili headed over the woodwork early
on. Winger Emmanuel Shana was making good darting runs on the left side.
Twenty-three minutes in, a good interception by central defender Oliver Noble
denied tall forward John Elongo a chance at goal, only for Frankie Shepherd to
head over from the resulting corner. The Yellows did not heed that warning as a
minute later, they fell behind. A good lofted strike by winger Lindo Khumalo got
past Hutton custodian Carter Collins and went high into the net.
Midfielder Ibrahim Adi was posing problems with his strong forward runs, with
one of those bypassing two defenders but his effort was gathered by a grateful
Collins. Elongo & Hkumalo had half-chances to extend Adonye Gogo-Ibiama’s
side’s advantage but they could not convert. A jolt from the blue came two
minutes before the break as a good run & low strike by forward George Briton-
Watkins found the net to alter both team’s half-time discussions.
Half-time: Bowers Res 1 - 1 Hutton U23
The second half was somewhat more lively as both sides strived to wrestle back
the momentum. Elongo was continuing to pose problems, particularly in the air
and his fine header needed a deflection of a defender onto the woodwork. Josh

Boxall’s team were staying in the game, but created little to test the opposition
goalkeeper Dougie Yates. Dorili had a header chalked off for off-side with sixteen
minutes left. Again though Hutton would not drift into the latter stages of this
contest as a decent goal levelled things again ten minutes before time. A deft, low
finish by centre-back Oliver Noble found the right-corner, past Yates. Bowers
shelled a great chance from twelve yards to win it with Adi’s tame strike saved by
substitute goalkeeper Alfie Fitzearle who had come on 15 minutes prior due to
what looked like a bad arm injury for Collins.
Bowers had five minutes of added on time in the ninety to grab the Cup as Hutton
saw McKenzie sin-binned for dissent after the penalty decision. A telling goal was
not forthcoming though as extra time loomed..
Full-Time (90 mins): Bowers Res 2 – 2 Hutton U23
There was no lack of endeavour in the extra thirty minutes, which the strong
crowd of nearly 200 hundred appreciated. Just when you thought the dreaded
penalty shoot-out would be called upon, a good break by Bowers ended with
Lindo Khumalo again in on goal and his composed finish found the net nine
minutes from time, which started joyous scenes from the home support.
Full-Time (after Extra Time): Bowers & Pitsea Res 3 – 2 Hutton U23
Whilst this was another long night, it was an intriguing insight into two strong
reserve sides this term. Bowers really should have been further ahead at the
interval but Hutton kept going and got their goals at key times. Overall though,
Bowers had more of the chances & ball time, so when they did strike in the added
thirty, it was hard to deny that they were deserving of the victory and a stand-out
moments in their fledging careers. Congratulations. Best wishes to Hutton, the
club is on the up with many youth teams assisting this pathway into Reserve
football.
For Cup winners Bowers, their stand-out mentions start with central midfielder
Ibrahim Ad who ran all game really well, made good interceptions and always
provided a midfield option with the ball and without. Well done. Two-goal star
Lindo Khumalo had a fine game also, having the awareness to break to score the
winner showed a good footballing brain and showed pace and good movement
too. Lastly, a word for forward John Elongo who also grafted really well and got

into good positions and was an aerial threat, being unlucky to only score one goal
here.

For Hutton, their mentions start with centre-back & skipper Sonny Boreham who
marshalled his defence well and made several good tackles to deny chances on
goal. Central midfielder Jaden Tucker had a good game too, always up for the
battle against a fleet-footed Bowers side and played his part in their passing
game. Finally, a word for forward George Briton-Watkins who made several
darting runs on the flank and got his goal at a key time. I would like to also
mention the team ethic which brought them back into the game twice when their
heads could have ‘gone down’, good to see.

Teams (ET denotes extra time)
Bowers & Pitsea Res | Manager: Ayo Gogo-Ibiama | Assistant: Ayo Adenmi

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Dougie Yates (GK), 2 Gregg Duffy (Capt), 3 Joe Berry (17 Nick
Afriyie-Barwuah 84’), 5 Max Dorili, 6 Frankie Shepherd , 4 Bishop Prempeh (16
Finn Whyley 70’), 8 Ibrahim Adi, 7 Lindo Khumalo (12 Rafiq Mackie ET 26’), 9 John
Elongo, 10 Riley Scopes (15 Jose Adams 81’), 11 Emmanuel Shana (14 Donnel
Kujinga 70’)
Goal-Scorers: Lindo Khumalo [ 24’ & ET ‘21], John Elongo [62’]
Booked: Prempeh, Scopes, Kujinga, Afriyia-Barwuah, Khumalo | Subs Not Used:
None

Hutton U23 | Manager: Joshua Boxall | Assistant: Lawrence Tucker
Starting XI (Subs) : 1 Carter Collins (GK) (GK Alfie Fitzearle 76’), 2 Justin Junaid (12
Owen Lutete 70’), 3 Eliseu Mannesim, 6 Sam Boreham (Capt), 4 Oliver Noble, 24
Jaden Tucker, 25 Cameron McKenzie, 10 Alan Muszalak (16 Jude Keeling 60’) , 7

Raymond Cathline , 9 Kehinde Sanni (5 Miller Boachie ET 22’) , 11 George Briton-
Watkins
Goal-scorers: George Briton-Watkins [43’], Oliver Noble [80’]
Booked: Tucker | Sin-bin: Mckenzie [89’] | Subs Not Used: None

___________________
Referee: Samuel Akande

Assistant Referees: Luke Thorogood & Olabisi Omotosho

Fourth Official: Anthony Abbs