Hatherop 1 Mushet & Coalway United 3

GFA Minor Cup North

GOALS from Josh Pritchard and Sam Jessop secured a first-ever County Cup triumph for Mushet & Coalway as they came from behind in a thrilling second half at Bishop’s Cleeve.

Ultimately, the fearlessness of Mushet’s youthful side – a team with an average age of around 19 – saw them defeat a patient Hatherop team who looked leggy after the half-time break.

Mushet looked the more dangerous in the opening stages, spurred on by a large support on the sidelines. Josh Jones’ goal-bound effort after just a minute had to be blocked away, before Jack Halson saw his shot stopped en route to the bottom corner.

But Hatherop’s Dave Legg gave the Cotswolds village side a 22nd minute lead when he chested the ball into an empty net after Mushet keeper Jake Thomas failed to punch clear a lofted ball held up in the fierce wind.

That was the last of the clear-cut chances in the first period; Jessop hit an effort that deflected wide after half an hour and Pritchard half-volleyed well wide minutes before the break.

Six minutes into the second half Pritchard had pulled his side level. At this point the travelling support were fervent, urging their side on and a minute later Jessop’s 40-yard strike caught out Hatherop goalkeeper Nick Stevenson but also dropped wide.

Andy Easton fired a shot that grazed the bar on 55 minutes and Pritchard’s sweeping long-range effort after 68 minutes forced Stevenson into a pushing the ball out for a corner.

Within seven minutes, Mushet had the lead as Pritchard finished when Hatherop failed to clear a poor corner. The elated scorer raced back to halfway to celebrate in front of the club’s support and the Forest side felt this was their moment.

Kyran Hale raced from left-back into the opposition area on 83 minutes, evoking memories of Gareth Bale in Milan, beating two defenders but his finish was blocked on the line.

With Mushet in the ascendence, they were almost pegged back when Legg was brought down in the area, but the forward crashed his spot-kick on to the bar and clear.

But Jessop wrapped up the trophy with five minutes to spare. A bright spark throughout, he lifted a perfect ball over the top to Halson, who lobbed onto the bar. But Jessop was there to follow up and head over the line – although it took referee Christopher Carter a long discussion with his assistant to award the goal.

Mushet were jubliant, and rightly so; it was a historic win with a young side exciting to watch.