Wednesday 30th March 2022 saw the first RSFA cup final take place since 2019 due to the pandemic, with Wickersley taking on Aston at Parkgate Football Club under the lights. Both teams were dominant en-route to the final, with Wickersley beating St Pius 4 – 1 and Aston beating Brinsworth 6 – 1 in their semi-finals respectively.
The game was barely 4 minutes old when a free kick whipped in from the right found Jack Smith, who flicked a header into the corner of the Aston goal to give Wickersley an early lead. 1 – 0.
The next 10 minutes was a cagey affair with Aston growing into the game dominating possession, looking dangerous down the right hand side. It was from the right Aston created their best chances in the first half, narrowly firing over on one occasion and forcing the Wickersley goalkeeper to tip the ball over on another. George Walker was lucky not to pick up a caution after a late tackle on the Aston midfielder down the right, with the resulting free-kick a good delivery into a dangerous area
which unfortunately eluded everyone at the back post.
Despite Aston growing in possession, Wickersley were still a threat on the counter-attack with an Aston defender clearing the ball off the line followed by a great save from Oliver Ward to keep the game at 1 – 0. A mistake at the back gifted Wickersley the chance to double their lead, but the striker could only fire over.
With 5 minutes left to go in the first half, a corner from the right hand side was headed goal-wards by George Walker, with the ball sneaking in the far post to give Wickersley a 2 goal lead. Just before half time, an Aston defender again cleared the ball off the line to keep them in the game going into the break.
Half time Wickersley School & Sports College 2 – 0 Aston Academy.
Aston Academy started the second half brightly and were rewarded with an early goal – Lewis Glover scoring the 3rd headed goal of the night after a corner from the right hand side to give Aston hope with plenty of time still to play. 2 – 1.
The second half followed the pattern of the first with Aston dominating the ball but Wickersley looking dangerous on the break and with Aston pushing for an equaliser in the last 10 minutes, Wickersley scored their third goal of the night. A cross from the left was deflected down into the
path of Alex Brown-Vasilescu, who kept his cool to convert from inside the area with Oliver Ward unlucky not to keep the ball out. 3 – 1.
The full time whistle went with Wickersley picking up the win and taking home the RSFA Nick Walker Trophy. Well done to both teams, staff members and spectators for playing their part in a successful return to the school boy finals. Official attendance: 155.
