Mill Hill overcame a resilient Rhoden Inn to clinch the Blue and White Rosebowl Cup at a packed Griffin Park.
On what was the hottest day of the year, supporters were treated to a fast paced and frenetic first half with both sides putting on an entertaining game.
Unlike some other local leagues which had cancelled their cup competitions the Blackburn Sunday League had decided to press ahead. The season itself was interrupted and since April as soon as Covid restrictions were lifted, games have continued week in week out.
Coming into the final you would have had your money on Rhoden Inn who had been playing some great football through the spring months. They had overcome Poppy Mai FC 5-2 to book their place in the final itself.
Mill Hill may have had the 'home' advantage they were outnumbered by a boisterous Rhoden Inn faithful who turned out to cheer their team on.
Mill Hill looked the more likely to score but Rhoden did seem dangerous when they got forward. It was going to take something a little special to break the deadlock in the second half. It came in the form of a wonderful pinpoint cross from Joel Phelps who found Matt Duerden at the far post. He rose magnificently to put Mill Hill ahead and the celebration wasn’t bad either!
Mill Hill celebrate the opener
Rhoden were spurred into action but couldn’t find their way through despite some promising breaks down the left.
The cup final was all but over as Mill Hill were awarded a penalty when a great little run from Jack Gooden ended with him being tripped inside the box. Gooden stepped up himself to convert the penalty to put Mill Hill in the driving seat.
There was no coming back for Rhoden and the teams meet again in the ‘Blackburn Sunday League Champions League Final’.
Gooden prepares to take the penalty
In a new format teams had been split into four groups of four and then proceeded through to a knockout stage.
In their group Rhoden Inn had won all their six matches while Mill Hill were runners-up to Lord Raglon. Rhoden have overcome Lord Raglon to reach the final while Mill Hill had beaten Old Function Room earlier this month. Bring on round 2.
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