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NORFOLK TROPHY FINAL:
AFC Trotters v Dros Delnoch,
Wednesday 18th March 2009, Kick off: 19:00 CET,
at the Xpert Arena.
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Two sides will be chasing their first piece of major silverware when the 6th Norfolk Trophy final gets under way tomorrow evening. The showpiece has a rather refreshing look to it with both sides reaching their first cup final. The game also has the David and Goliath element as Division Two side AFC Trotters hope to become only the second side outside the top two divisions to win a major trophy.
AFC Trotters cup run has mixed some tremendous performances with a bit of luck but they offer all lower division sides hope of just what can happen in the cup competitions. They have claimed the notable scalp of current holders Dutch Warriors as well as defeating the free-scoring Dinot Riders, whilst good results against Smallville and No Surrender Gers shouldn't be overlooked either. League form has perhaps suffered as a result with them lying 6th in Division Two - although they lie just a point off of mid-table safety.
Dros Delnoch are a good case study for sides looking to build from the lower divisions. They began in Division Two and have made steady progress to become title challengers last season. After 3 previous semi-final appearances they have now made their first final in their 7th season and they have already defeated two top flight sides in the shape of HM Gunners and Ash Samba Boyz as well as the leaders of both Division Two (Wilson F.C) and Division Three (Britannia City). They have started this season solidly with just 1 defeat from their opening 4 games.
ROAD TO THE FINAL-------------------------------------------
AFC Trotters:
R1 Smallville FC......W 4-0 Davis 24, Drkic 53,67, Ainsworth 84.
R2 No Surrender Gers..D 0-0 (*AFC Trotters won 3-0 on pens)
QF Dutch Warriors.....D 2-2 Barcikowski 56, Inan 61. (*AFC Trotters won 5-4 on pens)
SF Dinot Riders.......D 2-2 Hennigan 10, Zachrisson 82. (*AFC Trotters won 3-1 on pens)
Dros Delnoch:
R1 Ash Samba Boyz..W 3-2 Billingham 35, Bean 90, Owens 114.
R2 Britannia City..W 3-2 Patton 17, Billingham 55, Boxall 61.
QF HM Gunners......W 3-1 Bean 2, Owens 82, Patton 89.
SF Wilson F.C......W 1-0 Owens 50.
CURRENT FORM (league & Cup)---------------------------------
Team------------P-W--L--D-GF-GA-PTS
AFC Trotters.......6...0...1...5...5....6.....5
Dros Delnoch......6...3...1...2...7....4....11
SEQUENCES---------------------------------------------------
AFC Trotters:
- Haven't won any of their last 7 games.
- Have only lost once in their last 6 matches.
- Have lost only 1 of their last 6 ties in the Norfolk Trophy.
- Audric Hirsch has set up 5 of their 9 goals this season.
Dros Delnoch:
- Have only lost 1 of their last 8 games.
- Haven't conceded a goal for 279 minutes.
- Have won 6 of their last 7 games in the Norfolk Trophy.
- Edwin Owens has scored 5 goals in his last 8 games.
ITS A FACT--------------------------------------------------
- No side outside the top two divisions have ever won a cup.
- AFC Trotters are only the 3rd ever side to reach a major cup final from division two - Wilson F.C and Car Fax (Now Edinburgh Wolves) were the others.
- No Norfolk league sides have been defeated by lower division opposition in the final of the Norfolk Trophy.
- Only once has the Trophy final gone to extra time.
- This is the first Trophy final without either White Riot or Dutch Warriors.
HEAD-TO-HEAD------------------------------------------------
Overall:
Played 3: 1 AFC Trotters win, 2 Dros Delnoch wins.
In the cup:
Played 3: 1 AFC Trotters win, 2 Dros Delnoch wins.
Richard Newton v Waylander:
Played 3: 1 win for Richard Newton, 2 for Waylander.
Last Meeting:
30/04/2008 League Cup: Dros Delnoch 4-0 AFC Trotters.
TEAM NEWS---------------------------------------------------
Top scorer Veljko Drkic is a major injury doubt whilst midfielders Maxwell Gillespie and Jack Bonham both could make their returns from suspension.
Experienced defender Esteban Fuentes is an injury doubt but striker Dylan Bean has fully recovered from injury.
PLAYERS TO WATCH--------------------------------------------
ZEFERINO MALHEIRO, Goalkeeper, AFC Trotters.
9 penalties have been missed against the Trotters in their last 3 cup ties and Malheiro is one of the main reasons for this. He has been in outstanding form having earned 3 xpert 11 selections in the cup run - two of which were as captain.
EDWIN OWENS, Striker, Dros Delnoch.
The striker has scored 5 goals already this season, including scoring in 3 of Delnoch's 4 matches in the Trophy this season. He also has 2 assists and has gained 5 xpert eleven selections.
PREVIOUS FINALS---------------------------------------------
Season 8: Dutch Warriors 1-0 Shawfield Reborn
Season 7: Dutch Warriors 0-4 White Riot
Season 6: Wilson F.C. 1-2 White Riot
Season 5: Hotshots 2-1 White Riot
Season 2: Rubber Dubbers 2-0 White Riot
PREDICTION--------------------------------------------------
Both sides will be desperate to make the most of the opportunity to win their first major trophy. Expect a tight game with neither side conceding many goals at the moment. Delnoch will begin as favorites due to their higher league status but as the Trotters have already shown this season 3 times, they are very strong on penalties and in a tight game that could be a decisive factor.
PREDICTION: 1-0 Dros Delnoch.
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