12 Regt RA Thorney Station beat HMS Sultan 2 nil to lift the USFL Charity Cup

The 1st half saw neither keeper tested with both deferences on top and lots of little fouls breaking up the flow of the game Sultan seem to be the dominate team but once they moved in to dangerous areas Thorney manage to breakup their play. Sultan’s No 4 being the only player keeping his head in mid filed and playing the ball with skill. The only highlight was a free kick from LET Sam Donaldson of Sultan which flew just over the bar. When LET Jackson went down in the box Sultan’s claim for a penalty went unheard as the referee waved play on.

HT HMS Sultan 0 – 0 Thorney Station

The 2nd half kicked of in much the same manner, with Thorney’s no 10 again treading that fine line between fair and unfair pressure on the Sultan back 4, a near man of the match performance. But at the 60 min point he took the ball down just outside the box and spun and shot, a complete miss-hit and the ball slice high in to the box becoming a great set up for man of the match LBdr Seif Nabli who saw the onrushing keeper approaching and with a deft header looped the ball in to the net, 1 nil to Thorney.

The game returned to it previous style of play with both defences on top and players treading that fine line of play testing the referee’s patience which eventually led to a couple of yellow cards. Then a 50/50 ball in to Sultan’s box saw Sultan’s keeper ETME Sam Rigley take a blow to the head and the game was held up for 5 minutes whilst he was patched up and changed his shirt. Sultan continue to press but a hard working LET Donaldson of Sultan, who was putting a lot of pressure on Thorney’s defence was catching the referee’s eye and following a couple of silly challenges he was booked twice in quick succession and saw red. It was shortly after this that Thorney’s LBdr Seif Nabli took the ball with his back to the goal on the left side of the box, and although there were 2 Sultan defenders around him and the keeper in the way this rare foray into the box resulted in a goal as with a clever back heel the ball he outfoxed those around him, 2 nil to Thorney.

Down to 10 men for the last 10 minutes Sultan were continual frustrated by Thorney’s defence and the game was effectively over as Sultan’s play became ragged and testy.


FT HMS SULTAN 0 – 2 Thorney Station
Nabli 60 & 75 (ish)
Man of the Match LBdr Seif Nabli, chosen by our sponsor Network Rail
Many thanks to our Match Officials: Ref: Luke Pierce Assistants: Declan Hellyer & Andrew Keay, 4th Official: Jools Browning