
The tournament, played over the weekend of the 11th and 12th July saw four Ryman League teams (hosts Corinthian-Casuals, Tooting and Mitcham United, Met Police and Hampton and Richmond Borough) compete in the pre-season warm-up.
In the Saturday morning fixture, Tooting tore apart a Met Police side littered with trialists. Billy Marshal bagged two along with one from Gareth Chendlik. Met will rue the chance missed from the penalty spot with the score at 1-0 but on evidence of play, 3-0 was a fair result.
Corinthian-Casuals and Hampton and Richmond would play to decide who would join Tooting in Sunday’s final. A new look Casuals line-up looked lively and arguably should’ve been ahead, not least from the penalty spot. However, Jamie Byatt’s effort was well saved by experienced stopper Seb Brown.
Hampton nicked the game in the last few minutes when Kamara scored after Josh Casey’s free kick was flicked on by Ross Defoe.
With Sunday’s ties decided, Corinth faced Met Police in dull and drizzly conditions to see who would avoid the wooden spoon. Both sides made several changes to the ones that played the day before which included the wonderfully named Diego Maradona starting in the chocolate and pink. Of course… he had to score… and he did to the delight of the Corinth fans who’d already mustered a song in tribute. Casuals ran out deserved 1-0 winners.
The final took a while to get going but when it did, it came in a flurry of goals. Hampton took the lead before ex-Casual Michael Salako levelled. The teams then traded goals as the Beavers once again took the lead before the Terrors hit two in reply. Parity was restored in the dying minutes and the Geoff Harvey Vase was to be decided by penalties.
With a little confusion from the officials (who clearly miscounted), Adam Faith had saved two for Tooting and Seb Brown just the once for Hampton. Tooting took the title winning 4-3 on pens. It was left to Corinthian-Casuals Vice-President Brian Adamson to present the Vase to Tooting skipper Harry Knock.
On a side note, I’d like to thank all the players, officials and supporters for their participation in this pre-season tournament and for paying your respects to Junior Dian who sadly passed away in the week playing for Ryman side Tonbridge Angels against Whyteleafe.
Saturday's photos can be seen here.
Sunday's pics... here.