Gloucestershire 1sts …………… 1
Cardiff 2nds ………………………. 2
After a nail-biting thriller of a semi-final, Cardiff University 2nd XI knew that it would be a tough challenge to bring home the Western Conference Cup against University of GloucestershireÔÇÖs 1st XI.
The game started badly for Cardiff as Gloucestershire scored within 10 minutes after a disastrous own goal by playmaker Gary Ginsburgh, who saw himself on the scoresheet for the first time in his University career ÔÇô for the wrong team.
Things looked like they were going from bad to worse for Cardiff as their goal was unremittingly threatened by the attacking prowess of the Gloucestershire strike force.
Acrobatics from the charismatic goalkeeper Matt Vincent and pinpoint tackles from centre-halves Kai Fatch and Robbie Williams kept the opposition from putting the game to bed before it had started.
An inspirational tactical re-shuffle from the team coach, affectionately nicknamed ÔÇÿJos├® WestrinhoÔÇÖ, saw Cardiff rise like a phoenix from the ashes. A seamless transition saw midfield engine Rory Davis effortlessly switch to right midfield and a new lease of life was installed in Cardiff.
Rallied by the inspirational roars of captain Tun├º Ilgin, GloucesterÔÇÖs goal was relentlessly hounded with Peter Borton and Ryan Younger threatening on numerous occasions and it was not long before the inevitable happened ÔÇô a goal for Cardiff.
There has been much debate how it happened but the ball found its way across the line, supposedly from the stick of Ginsburgh, levelling the scores just before the stroke of half time.
Cardiff started the second half, ruthlessly dominating the midfield with club veterans Tom Jones, Ed Lewell and Rory Flutter demonstrating superior pace and fitness by persistently pounding the flanks and causing real trouble for the Gloucestershire wing-backs on a number of occasions.
It wasnÔÇÖt long before GloucestershireÔÇÖs defence crumbled and a fantastic solo effort from David Nancekievill saw his reverse-stick shot ricochet into the bottom corner of the goal, putting Cardiff in the lead for the first time in the match.
With Gloucestershire chasing the equaliser, the intensity of the game dramatically increased. Cardiff held the line, however, with future captain Tom Barker instrumentally maintaining shape and structure from the heart of midfield.
A late sub saw the ever-solid Ben Painting replaced by the equally concrete Bertie Cook. It wasnÔÇÖt all plain sailing for Cardiff, however, as a crunching tackle by Cook saw a penalty corner awarded to Gloucestershire in the dying minutes of the game.
The tension was unbearable for all, players and supporters alike, with fingernails being bitten down to bare cuticles.
Gloucestershire looked certain to score from the corner with an excellent attempt from their striker, but Cardiff were handed a lifeline as Williams performed an excellent goal-line clearance to secure the Cup for Cardiff.
Timothy West 
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