The John Savage Cup Final 2021-22
The John Savage Cup Final 2021-22
North Walsham Town or Fakenham Town will lift the John Savage Cup this season.
The John Savage Cup was first competed for back in the 1978-79 season, when Gorleston United beat Attleborough Juniors 5-2. It is competed for by Under 15 and 16 teams in Norfolk.
North Walsham Town compete in the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League, Premier League and have been crowned champions this season after winning 13 of their 16 matches. They have only lost one match all season which was against Sprowston in November, with a 4-3 scoreline. After 4-0 and 7-2 victories against Salhouse and Stoke United respectively in the opening rounds, a 12-1 convincing victory set up a tricky tie against Dereham Town Youth in the Quarter-Finals. They travelled west and returned home with a place in the Semi-Finals after a hard-fought 2-1 victory. However, their toughest test would be in the Semi-Final against Wroxham, who won the competition last season. After drawing 3-3 after ninety minutes, it was the Angels who kept their calm from 12 yards, winning 5-4 on penalties, to enter the Final.
When asked about the final, North Walsham Town’s James Cobbold said: “Making the Final of any cup competition is important to any club or team. However, to reach the Final of the County Cup is a huge achievement for both sets of players and coaches. We came through an extremely hard semi-final against Wroxham and approached it the same way as any other match. We will support the players before, during and after the game and ensure they are focused on their individual tasks but the great thing about the team is they take the lead themselves on the pitch which helps us as coaches and is also a huge credit to them.”
Fakenham Town play in the Eastern Junior Alliance, U16 Blue Division and finished their season in third position. They enter the final having won their last three matches. The ghosts started their cup run with 4-1 win and walkover against Wymondham Town United and Litcham Youth Club respectively. A 5-0 win against Gorleston and 5-2 victory against Mundford set up a lengthy away trip to Bohemians in the Semi-Finals. A 5-1 scoreline on the road means that the Ghosts enter the final full of confidence.
When asked about the final, Fakenham Town Manager, James Page said: “It’s been a long time since Fakenham had a youth County Cup Final. It’s definitely been discussed amongst the committee that we’d like the club to be competing in all County Cup competitions. If we’re lucky enough to win then it sets the tone for the coming years to all our youth coaches. To win would mean a great deal. We’re keen to get Fakenham Town’s name back on a County trophy. It’s our lads last game as a team, so what a way to go out!”
Match Officials
Referee: James Ludlam
Assistant Referees: Kye McCourt-Hall & Alex Melton
Fourth Official: John Fogarty
North Walsham Town v Fakenham Town
Harrod Sport Arena, The FDC, Bowthorpe
15/05/2022
Kick Off 10:30am
Tickets: Adults £5, Concessions £3, Under 12s Free