FC Chadd 2013 1, Arboretum 2 (09/04/17 16:30) - Derby Sunday League Cup Final

Having seen all the Derbyshire first teams that appear in the top 11 tiers of English football, and having seen a Derby team at tier 12 level this season, I though that I would lend my support to the Derby City Football League and have a look at the Sunday League Challenge Trophy Final at the Moorways Bowl. After all, it would be rude not to on a lovely warm spring afternoon.

Chadd and Arboretum are head and shoulders above the opposition this year and sit 1st and 2nd respectively in the league. Chadd have a 100% league record and Arboretum have only dropped points in two games. Arboretum have already bagged some silverware this season however by winning another Derby cup last weekend at the same venue. They also had a good run in the county Sunday cup having got as far as the semifinal before losing to north Derbyshire opposition.

Today's game attracted a good crowd (approx. 150), a good proportion of which were Chadd chavs that were fueled up on lunchtime booze. Throughout the game they chanted classics such as "In Your Normanton Slum" and "We're Chadd, We're Chadd, and that's the way I like it, I like it, I like it..."

The match was officiated by former Derby runner, Nicky Lees, the winner of the Derby Marathon several times in the 80s. I'm sure he could have easily made it through extras time if it were needed. Thankfully extra time was not required.

Arboretum, in blue, deserved their win. In addition to their goals they missed a clear cut sitter and struck the crossbar.  After their winning goal, mid-way through the second-half, Mr Lees had to send some of their bench to the stand for running onto the pitch, celebrating. There were also some shocking challenges in the second-half especially and we were lucky to see a full complement of players on the pitch after the 90 minutes.

The goals are described thus:

0:1 A run down the right flank, on 15 minutes, by the blues broke the Chadd back line resulting in a 3 on 1 scenario. The winger found number 9 in a central position and he fired home despite the 'keeper getting a hand on the ball.

1:1 Chadd, after coming out after half-time fired up, levelled following the second phase of a set piece. A ball clipped in the box was met by a striker in a central position who fired passed the 'keepers left hand.

1:2 With Chadd pressing up field, Arboretum broke and number 15, following a good through ball, bore down on goal with the ball at his feet. A defender managed to catch up with him but the attacker calmly went inside and struck home from 8 yards.

Towards the end of the game the April breeze picked up and blew blossom off the overlooking trees, like confetti, as if to join in Arboretum's celebrations.