Basford United’s Greenwich Avenue hosted the first of the two, Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League cup finals days at the weekend, and in front of enthusiastic, sun-drenched fans.

In ending what has been the strangest of seasons, Saturday’s three cup finals, in the Division 2 North, Division 2 South, and Foundation Division, all provided entertainment, and interest, be it for the neutral, of for their own, loyal fans.

The Foundation Division Cup final kicked off the day, in late morning, as Netherfield Seniors recovered from being a goal down early on, to comfortably see off Bull Farm 6-1; Sean Goodwin afforded the Farm an early lead inside ten minutes but, by the interval, the Seniors were 3-1 to the good with goals from Kyle Carter, Greg McLean, and an unfortunate, own-goal.

Those tree goals all arrived within fourteen, first-half minutes for the Carlton-based outfit and, after the restart, and the sides had adjusted to the increasing heat, the Seniors furthered their advantage when Ben Crawford headed home before super-sub, James Needham, entered the fray with twenty minutes remaining.

Within three minutes of coming on Needham added number five, and, with six minutes left on the clock, he was at the double to wrap up an eventually emphatic, 6-1 victory.

Of worthy note is that of the four, Nottinghamshire FA match officials, for the Foundation final and the plaudits which were afforded to the quartet of Julia Kings, Phoebe Cross, Hannah Gardner and Lauren Hope.

The early afternoon, Division 2 North final would be a much closer affair, between Beeston Old Boys Association and United Grays Community, the former winning on penalties following a 1-1 draw in which both goals arrived in the opening twenty minutes.

Gavin Carr headed the opener inside ten minutes for the Old Boys with Tremere Lindo equalising a little over ten minutes later, both sides going on to cancel each other out with the Old Boys edging a 5-3 penalty shoot-out success.

As for the evening kick-off, the Arnold-based AC United defeated Bingham Town Reserves 2-0 in the Division 2 South final, wrapping up a good day of action in the Nottingham sun.

Joshua Osafo opened the scoring from the spot early on and, in injury-time, the lead was eventually doubled when Daniel Asuenimhen grabbed a second; it was to be a game that saw the respective shot-stoppers take centre-stage, Francisco Jechel (AC United) and Nathan Davis (Bingham Reserves) receiving deserved plaudits.

A stand-out at the season finale in the Notts Senior League is that of the cheque presentation from the League Registrar, Rob Hornby, to a chosen charity to which he fundraises for through his ‘Around the Grounds’ blog during the season; on Saturday, at Basford, Mr Hornby would present a cheque for £1200 to that of the ‘Nottingham Stroke Club.’

Rob has already begun next season’s fundraising, topping a hundred pounds from cup final day alone; the funds raised this time will, next summer, be handed over to that of the ‘Family Fund,’ a charity which helps and supports families who have children with special needs.

It is also worth noting that Rob also donates 25p per goal scored during each season of matches in which he attends, and the new blog, which is already up-and-running, and contains the NSL’s pre-season friendlies, can be found HERE.

This coming Saturday, 12 June, and back at Basford United’s Greenwich Avenue (NG6 0LD), will be that of the First Division, and Premier Division, cup finals, with AFC Top Valley opposing Wollaton Reserves in the former, and Sandiacre Town against Bingham Town in the latter; the finals will kick-off at 2pm and 5pm respectively (programme, £2 admission cash only).

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @JimBethell Netherfield lift the trophy after hitting six v Bull Farm.