More teams, more rounds, but still Sky Lounge triumphant.
The first 8 team tournament since November 2021, saw some very strong teams on display.
Surprise was Newcastle City not gaining a semi final berth, along with Sporting Redhouse, who ended finishing rock bottom of their group, despite an opening win over newcomers, Boldon CA – who themselves were very unfortunate not to be in the last four.
Group stage
In Group B, Sky Lounge defeated Carpets Centre Elite, Sporting and then Boldon CA, all 1-0, to top the group. After that, it was all the other three – all who were very similar in a strong standard and a tough group. Ironically, after losing both their openers, Carpets were sweating on the last encounter as Boldon playing Sky just needed a draw to scrape Boldon into the semi’s. Boldon, already having already defeated Carpets, but succumbing to a 2-1 defeat v Sporting in their opener. For Carpets, their 3-1 win over rivals, Sporting, helped them in a group where most teams only managed single goal victories. As mentioned, Sporting lost to Sky, but everyone else seemed to beat each other.
Group A would be considered the weaker group and two new teams, Museum Vaults and Athletic Sports United kicked off with Museum securing a resounding 2-0 win. Newcastle and Sassco then failed to break each other down in a 0-0 draw. Sassco then followed with a 4-0 win over ASU, before Museum scored late in a 1-0 win over Newcastle to all-but eliminate them. Newcastle were then 1-0 down for a long stretch against ASU, before finally turning on the style in a 4-1 win to improve their goal difference.
The final match saw Newcastle waiting on the side-lines, hopeful of a heavy Museum win against Sassco. But an early, excellent, long range strike from Craig Richardson secured a 1-0 win to send both Sassco and Museum through.
Semi finals
The Semi-finals saw Sky Lounge secure an expected 2-1 win over Museum, while Carpets left it late to fire in the only goal against Sassco.
Final
The final, inevitably saw Sky Lounge improve over their group result v Carpets, by scoring two late goals. A tempered match almost saw Parkin sin binned when they were 2-0 up. Lucky for him, he saw sense, as Carpets fired in a late reply to set up a frantic finish. Sky Lounge held on, and once more have the opportunity to fill up the fruit bowl.
The next tournament is scheduled for November 1st.
