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Irish FA George Best Community Cup 2018 

16 June 2018

Community

Irish FA George Best Community Cup 2018 

16 June 2018

The Sutton United Community Teams' squad was made up from all three of our Disability teams as we returned back to Belfast for this year's two-day,  48-team George Best Community Cup trying to go one better than last year, when we reached the final and lost on penalties.The first day of football saw Sutton United in a tough looking group A, alongside Jersey A, Heathy 4 Life, CSP and Bradford A.  However The U's enjoyed a good first day with some notable wins, 5-1 against Bradford A and 1-0 against CSP, with impressive performances from Sutton United Hunter Gavin Gathirimu and Bradley Dixon from the Sutton U's.

Day Two ResultsGroup B matchesSutton United 3 [Mills Cheeseman OG] Jersey A 0Sutton United 0-0 Skem MenSutton United 1 Grove 0 [Hales]Sutton United 3 Solihull Moors 0Semi-FinalSutton United 2 [Mills Hales] CSP 0

George Best Cup Final Sutton United 0 Skem Men 0 AET[ Skem Men win 2-1 on penalties ]So. for the 2nd year in a row Sutton United reached the George Best Community Cup Final and what a performance they put in ! Sutton United pinned Skem Men from Liverpool back in the first half and, with our defence and goalkeeper Ben Wilson not having a shot to save, Mills came close in the first half to giving us the lead. Put through with the keeper to beat but he was brought down outside the box just as the striker was set to shoot.  The Skem Men 'keeper made some fine saves but the second half started in the same manner and it was Sutton United who were pressing the Skem defence back and Mills and Hales had chances that were hooked of the line. It was through another Sutton attack that Skem got their first real chance in the game, Cheeseman was caught going forward and the Skem striker was in on goal but struck the outside of the post.With more Sutton pressure coming the final whistle went, meaning 5 minutes of extra time.  At this point both teams, who had played two days of football, were looking tired and it was Skem who looked more threatening for the first time in the game but still the Sutton 'keeper Wilson was yet to make a save. In the last attack of the game with just seconds to go Cheeseman beat his man but just as we was going for goal he was brought down in the box.  Penalty to Sutton!!!  Mills stepped up, could he beat the 'keeper to secure the George Best Cup for Sutton United ?   Mills' penalty was firmly stuck but was brilliantly saved by the man of the match, the Skem goalkeeper.The whistle went and for the second year in a row the George Best Cup would be going to penalties.Skem Men won 2-1 on penalties.Steve King, United's Head of Disability Football, said “What a cracking tournament. The Irish FA have provided two days of great football again and we have made so many new friends.  Getting to the final again and playing so so well and only being stopped by a man of the match goalkeeping performance was hard to take. But we must not forget the most important thing, this competition gives great opportunities and life experiences for adults with disabilities and in a great and enjoyable environment."The Sutton Community Team squad lines up alongsideOlympics legend Dame Mary Peters


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