Mysterious circumstances surrounded Burymead’s surprise invitation to participate in the prestigious Charity Cup Final held at Ash United on Sunday past. The French Horne who controversially scored via a flying head butt in the last minute of extra time in the keenly contested Semi Final at Burymead, were unable to find a date in their busy schedule to squeeze in a Cup Final appearance. Burymead seized the opportunity vindicated by the fact they should have at least been a penalty shoot out away from a pop at the Final.
The macabre scoreline did not reflect the true nature of the game which was in fact goalless but packed with incident at half time and the visitors actually took an unlikely lead shortly after the break.
Burymead took to the field brightly after the novelty of pre-match pleasantries and introductions to local dignitaries and gentry. The Golden Lion keeper was forced into two early interventions following shots by Martin Scott and Russell Brown. After 20 minutes of intermittent Burymead possession, Golden Lion cruised up through the gears and were soon pressing, only a combination of valiant defending, arise Danny Ryan and Creosote, outstanding goalkeeping, take a bow Chris Ryan and outrageous striking incompetence, blush ye forwards of Ash parish, prevented the Lion taking a commanding interval lead. Rob Macdonald received a battle scar early in the game and was replaced in midfield by the hard working Bob Russell.
The two teams emerged from the changing rooms to considerably blusterier conditions and came close to calling it a day and sharing the cup and retiring to the enticing bar when the referee failed to resurface after the interval. Seemingly the officials’ refreshments extended to a four course banquet but eventually after washing down the last few truffles with lashings of Malbec, the men in black reassumed the position.
Burymead continued to be furtive as in the first period and the probing paid off when a looping cross from the redoubtable Danny Ryan was equally sublimely met by the cultured right size 8 of Sergeant Bob Russell. This belter was lavishly celebrated and riled the Lion; had Burymead converted again in the ensuing 10 minutes when they dominated possession, there may well have been a happier ending for the boys from Bisley.
Golden Lion, in front of a partisan home crowd, upped the ante again and a 15 minute wobble by Burymead alerted the Lion to pounce and eventually gobble up the fading Division II outfit. The cave in commenced with a failure to clear a corner and easily headed equalizer. Cumbersome Scott then badly scythed a clearance straight into the path of ex-Farnborough Town stalwart Jamie Horton who made amends for his lugubrious first half with this second strike of a ten minute hatrick.
Coach Connolly rung the changes in a bid to lift the team, Julian Kelsey partnered Russell Brown in attack and Jason Chew steadied the midfield. Heads had dropped however and three more goals were quickly conceded in a desperate quarter of an hour. Burymead emerged from this drubbing with respect though and battled on for the last 10 minutes creating occasional chances, a Simon Neil shot whizzing past the upright.
The presentations followed the match and Burymead concluded that runners up in the league and finalists in the Charity Cup was not a bad haul for the year and whetted the appetite of players and staff alike for more of the same next season in their new home at Chobham.
Selection: Chris Rye, Micky Rose, Danny Ryan, Jamie Judd, Creosote, Nigel Bristow, Martin Scott, Rob Macdonald, Ginger Neil, Glen O’Donoghue, Bob Russell , Jason Chew, Russell Brown, Julian Kelsey.
Goals: Bob Russell 55
Assists: Danny Ryan 55
Man of the Match: Danny Ryan

Crowd: Around 70 (At 4 Quid a head)