FA Cup Final Teams

The managers have sensationally agreed that this year's final will be played in WSFFL 'old skool' style and the dodge will not be permitted.

Here are the teams...

Claymore Athletic FC

GK - Howard
DEF - Ivanovic, Luiz, Johnson, Bardsley
MID - McCarthy, Henderson, Osman, Cleverley
ATT - Dembele, Rooney

Subs: Mucha; Olsson; Mulumbu; Gueye

San Dimas High School

GK - Mignolet
DEF - Distin, Scharner, Rafael, Walker
MID - Rodwell, Walcott, Hitzlsperger, Tiote
ATT - Elmander, Odemwingie

Subs: Al-Habsi; Flanagan; Milijas; Kornilenko

FA Cup Final - the contenders

Claymore Athletic FC
Current League position - 8th
Last six matches - DWLWWD

San Dimas High School
Current League position - 11th
Last six matches - DWLLLL

Route to the Final

Claymore
Semi-final - beat Bassett Allsorts 3-0
Quarter-final - beat York's Returning Glory 3-1
First Round - beat Final Fantasy 4-2 (after 1-1 draw)

San Dimas
Semi-final - beat Mega Buck Bandits 5-3
Quarter-final - beat Fred West LG XI 3-2
First Round - beat Athletico Phoenix 4-1

Recent Meetings
2010/11
Week 25 - San Dimas 2 Claymore 3
Week 3 - Claymore 5 San Dimas 3

2009/10
Week 28 - San Dimas 0 Claymore 2
PCMT R1R - Claymore 1 San Dimas 2
PCMT R1 - San Dimas 1 Claymore 1
Week 2 - Claymore 6 San Dimas 0

2008/9
Week 21 - Claymore 4 San Dimas 3
Week 8 - San Dimas 1 Claymore 1

San Dimas' only victory over Claymore in the last three seasons coming in a Cup match.

FA Cup Final 2000/1 (second replay)

This is as far back as I can go report-wise...

YOU KNOW YOUR BOSTON ROCK FC 1

Ferdinand 90

VS

 

TRUSTED BY MILLIONS 0

At The Millennium stadium, Cardiff 

Attendance: 73,500; 2 clean sheets cancelled off each team

 

The 2000/2001 WSFFL FA Cup 2^nd replay finally produced a result, with holders You Know Your Boston Rock FC grabbing a late winner to beat valiant Trusted By Millions by a 1-0 scoreline. The Sky Heroes therefore not only defy their league form and position against Championship chasing Trusted, but also become the first team in WSFFL history to retain a trophy.

 

Boston Rock manager Sheriff shuffled his pack again, bringing back fit-again Tim Flowers in goal, replacing the injured Lampard with promising youngster Scotty “too hotty” Parker, and also bringing back fiery predator Alan Smith. Trusted boss Beef did likewise, recalling Craig Burley to replace the suspended Steven Gerrard, but his late decision to drop Richard Rufus in favour of Titus Bramble may haunt him in years to come.  

As befits 2 teams who by now know each other’s games inside out, the early exchanges were tentative with neither team willing to commit numbers forward. However Trusted midfielder John Eustace broke forward well as the game settled, and blazed a point-blank header over the bar following good overlap play by Hreidarsson. Boston Rock finished the first half well with Bowyer a constant threat, although Scott Parker was a 37^th minute casualty following a collision with Schwarzer after a brave forward run.  

Trusted began the 2^nd half with renewed vigor, and Michael Owen gave Delaney the runaround, only to find the recalled Flowers in exemplary form. One save in particular from Owen proved that the Boston Rock custodian is back to his best. As time wore on, the Boston Rock defence, superbly marshaled by Boston Rock captain and Man of the Match Rio Ferdinand, slowly exerted control of the game, and it was fitting that the colossal Ferdinand should claim the late winner, which keeps the trophy with the Sky Heroes, after an epic series of encounters!  

Boston Rock FC: Flowers; Delaney, Ferdinand, Fish, Quinn; Bowyer, Kewell, Parker, Tessem; Pahars, Smith

Subs: Royce; Watson; Scholes, Ameobi       Trusted By Millions: Schwarzer; Barry, Bramble, Hreidarsson, Taggart; Burley, Eustace, Hutchinson, Taylor; Owen, Phillips Subs: Bosnich; Matteo; Kinsella, Bothroyd  

 

FA Cup Final 2000/1 (replay)

TRUSTED BY MILLIONS 1
Hreidarsson 90

VS

YOU KNOW YOUR BOSTON ROCK FC 1
Ferdinand 47

At The Millennium stadium, Cardiff   
Attendance: 73,500; 3 clean sheets cancelled off each team

The 2000/2001 WSFFL FA Cup replay between Trusted By Millions and You Know Your Boston Rock FC ended in another stalemate, after another last-minute equaliser by Beef’s spirited Trusted team, following another hard-fought game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Trusted manager Beef shuffled his defensive pack slightly from the first game, making Gerry Taggart his captain for the game, and bringing Steve Gerrard into the starting line-up from the bench, whilst Boston Rock boss Sheriff brought Harry Kewell into a potent looking midfield, recalling Marian Pahars into the starting line-up.

The opening exchanges set the tone for the first half, as the defences held sway, and Trusted’s frequent incursions into the Boston Rock half, led by their twin strikeforce of Kevin Phillips and Michael Owen, crumbled on the rock that was Rio Ferdinand. A titanic performance from the England centre-back was capped early in the second half with a superb looping header from a Harry Kewell cross, deceiving Schwarzer in the Trusted goal.

Trusted continued to push forward leaving themselves susceptible on the break, and it was one such Boston Rock break which earned a penalty, Taggart sending Scholes tumbling. Scholes himself took the penalty kick, only to blast horribly wide.

This galvanised Trusted’s efforts, and they were duly rewarded when Hermann Hreidarsson blasted home a deserved last-gasp equaliser, to force the game into another replay.

Trusted By Millions: Schwarzer; Barry, Carragher, Hreidarsson, Taggart (capt.); Eustace, Gerrard, Hutchinson, Taylor; Owen, Phillips

Subs: Bosnich; Matteo; Kinsella; Bothroyd

Boston Rock FC: Royce; Craddock, Delaney, Ferdinand, Fish; Bowyer, Kewell, Lampard, Scholes; Ameobi, Pahars
Subs: Flowers; Song; Tessem, Smith

 

FA Cup Final 2000/1

Another Cup Final goal-fest...

YOU KNOW YOUR BOSTON ROCK FC 4

Ferdinand 4

Lampard 7 
Bowyer 33

Scholes 87

VS

 

TRUSTED BY MILLIONS 4

Gerrard 55

Taylor 81

Schwarzer 90

Hreidarsson 90

Trusted By Millions staged a superb last-minute fightback to tie the 2000/2001 Fantasy FA Cup final 4-4, after an exciting hard-fought game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

This was the first time the reigning FA Cup holder had reached the following year’s final, although The 22 Legged Groove Machine had unsuccessfully defended the League Cup in 1996/7 against Aardvark Abacus, after beating Supersonic Rovers in 1995/6. Boston Rock hopes were high about salvaging something from a disappointing league campaign, in which Trusted had taken 4 points from the 2 league clashes between the 2 teams.

Boston Rock’s captain Rio Ferdinand set the tone early on, with an imperious far-post header to put the Sky Heroes into a 4^th minute lead. First half goals from Lampard and Bowyer (following good work from the mercurial Harry Kewell) followed, as Boston Rock raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Trusted sub Steve Gerrard pegged things back early in the second half, before being harshly sent off for a second bookable offence. Trusted were galvanised by this, however, and Ian Taylor pulled the scores back to 3-2 with 9 minutes to go. An 87^th minute screamer from Boston Rock’s Paul Scholes looked to have settled matters in the favour of the holders, but injury time goals from Trusted’s Mark Schwarzer and Hermann Hreidarsson tied the scores at a breathless 4-4!

So, it’s back to Cardiff next weekend, and if the replay is anything like this nail-biter, it’s going to be the hottest ticket in town!

Boston Rock FC: Flowers; Craddock, Delaney, Ferdinand, Fish; Bowyer, Lampard, Scholes, Tessem; Ameobi, Smith
Subs: Royce; Song; Carrick; Kewell

Trusted By Millions: Schwarzer; Carragher, Hreidarsson, Rufus; Hutchinson, Sherwood, Taylor, Wilson; Owen, Phillips

Subs: Bosnich; Matteo; Gerrard; Ostenstad

 

 

FA Cup Final 2001/2

Aardvark Abacus       0-1       San Dimas High School

                                               (2)         Trevor Sinclair 28

At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Attendance 72,500

 

San Dimas High School won the 2001/2002 WSFFL FA Cup Final, beating favourites Aardvark Abacus 1-0. In a tightly contested final, it was Trevor Sinclair who provided a match-winning performance, capped with the decisive goal, and rightly won the Man of the Match award. San Dimas’ win also prevented Ady’s march towards a “Double Double”, and ensured they wouldn’t remember this season as their “Sheffield Wednesday” season, i.e. reaching 2 finals in one season – and losing them both.

Aardvark substitute Laurent Blanc was pressed into action almost immediately, as Markus Babbel suffered a recurrence of Guillan-Barre syndrome and had to come off. This rattled the Aardvark defence, as San Dimas were on the offensive, Bergkamp leading the charge with a close shot. Trevor Sinclair, out to impress the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson (well, he does go to all the important games, you know!) was a constant thorn in the Aardvark defense, and finally broke their resistance with a low shot into the far corner from a Queudrue cross, which Martyn could only deflect in.

This should have been the cue for an Aardvark onslaught, however their vaunted front-line was firing blanks today, particularly Anelka, who “had a mare” and was substituted midway through the second half. Bergkamp hit a post for San Dimas with a delicious curling effort before being subbed himself, and the only blemish on San Dimas’ subsequent cruise to victory was Franck Queudrue’s late dismissal for a late tackle from behind on Legwinski. But that didn’t dampen Peej’s day.

Aardvark Abacus: Nigel Marty; Ian Harte, Lauren, Markus Babbel, Bernt Haas; Nolberto Solano, Jon Aarne Riise, Vladimir Smicer, Sylvain Legwinski; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Nicolas Anelka

Subs: Neil Sullivan, Laurent Blanc; Sam Dalla Bonna; Eidur Gudjonsson

San Dimas High School: Thomas Sorensen; Sylvain Distin, John Terry, Tony Adams, Franck Queudrue; Trevor Sinclair, Anders Svensson, Jermaine Jenas, Edu; Michael Ricketts, Dennis Bergkamp

Subs: Steve Harper; Jlloyd Samuel; Zatyiah Knight; Pablo Counago

FA Cup Final 2002/3 (the replay)

Aardvark Abacus       3-0       Trusted By Millions

Juninho (25) (pen)                 (1)

Harte (47)

Baros (58)

At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Attendance 72,500

Aardvark Abacus made no mistake second time around, and duly won the 2002/2003 WSFFL FA Cup Final Replay by a comfortable 3-0 margin, over a tired-looking Trusted By Millions, perhaps sapped by their efforts in the first game. So Ady wins the FA Cup for the second time, having previously won it in 1998/99.

Both managers made changes from the first game; Beef shuffled his defence around and brought in Andrew Cole in attack to replace Phillips, whilst Ady replaced the disappointing Hasselbaink with the lively Eidur Gudjonson, and surprisingly dropped Paul Scholes to the bench, preferring the Brazilian wizard Juninho. And it was this move which proved the inspiration behind Ady’s win: Juninho pulled off a Man-of-the-Match performance in midfield, scoring the first goal after 25 minutes from a penalty, after he himself had been fouled by Craddock, and proving instrumental throughout.

Ady’s lead doubled 2 minutes after the break with a bizarre goal which was eventually credited to Ian Harte, and 11 minutes later Milan Baros added to his 2 goals in the first game with a cool finish from a Juninho through ball. Trusted were frankly not at the races today, and Ady’s team deservedly cantered home 3-0 winners, just reward for another magnificent season from the Abacus!

 

Aardvark Abacus: Kasey Keller; Ian Harte, William Gallas, Jon Aarne Riise, Michael Svensson; Nolberto Solano, Juninho, Vladimir Smicer, Sylvain Legwinski; Eidur Gudjonsson, Milan Baros

Subs: Neil Sullivan; Matthew Upson; Paul Scholes; Dwight Yorke 

Trusted By Millions: Mark Schwarzer; Martin Taylor, Florent Laville, Jody Craddock, Jamie Carragher; Jay-Jay Okocha, Jason Euell, Sean Davis, Steven Gerrard; Michael Owen, Andrew Cole

Subs: Juusi Jaaskaleinen; Nils-Eric Johansson; James Milner; Kevin Phillips

FA Cup Final 2002/3

I thought this was worthy of its own entry...

Aardvark Abacus       5 – 5       Trusted By Millions

Solano (41) (pen)         (1)                     Owen (14, 48, 60, 66)

Baros (46, 84)                                        Djorkaeff (73)

Scholes (68)

Upson (90)

At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Attendance 72,500

The 2002/2003 WSFFL FA Cup Final ended in an astonishing 5-5 draw, with Michael Owen claiming 4 goals and the Man Of The Match award for Trusted By Millions. The match was an open, end-to-end struggle throughout, and its competitive nature was set immediately when a crunching tackle put paid to both Trusted’s Phillips and Aardvark’s Smicer in the first minute. Trusted opened the scoring on 14, Michael Owen finishing a move started by the flamboyant Okocha. Aardvark levelled before the break, however, Solano netting a penalty after Legwinski was upended in the box.

The floodgates really opened after the break; Baros put Aardvark ahead one minute after the restart, only for Owen to equalise 2 minutes later. Owen scored again on the hour to complete his hat-trick, and on 66 to put Trusted 4-2 up. Aardvark struck back on 68 through a neat Scholes header to make it 4-3, only for Trusted’s substitute Djorkaeff to net an Okocha rebound with 17 minutes to go, to put Trusted 5-3 up and the game seemingly beyond the Abacus. Ady’s men are made of sterner stuff, however, and their resiliency paid off with 2 late goals, from Baros on 84 and a towering Upson header in injury time to level the game. Let’s hope the replay is as exciting as this game!

   

Aardvark Abacus: Kasey Keller; Sol Campbell, William Gallas, Jon Aarne Riise, Matthew Upson; Nolberto Solano, Paul Scholes, Vladimir Smicer, Sylvain Legwinski;Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Milan Baros

Subs: Neil Sullivan; Lauren; David Prutton; Nicolas Anelka

Trusted By Millions: Mark Schwarzer; Nils-Eric Johansson, Dominic Matteo, Jody Craddock, Jamie Carragher; Jay-Jay Okocha, Jason Euell, Sean Davis, Steven Gerrard; Michael Owen, Kevin Phillips

Subs: Jussi Jaaskaleinen; Martin Taylor; Jamie Redknapp; Youri Djorkaeff 

FA Cup Final 2003/4

Trusted By Millions 4 – 1  Aardvark Abacus

Forssell 34                                        Harte 83 (pen)

Barry 45

Davis 64

Gray 90

At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Attendance 72,500

Trusted By Millions won the 2003/2004 WSFFL FA Cup Final in style, beating their conquerors of last year, Aardvark Abacus, thereby gaining sweet revenge. The game started badly for Aardvark with the early substitution of Gary O’Neil. Trusted seized the initiative from the outset, with Phillips continuing his good recent form and justifying his Trusted recall. And it was Phillips who provided the through ball for strike partner Mikael Forssell to slot past Kasey Keller in the 34^th minute.

This brought Aardvark back into the game, Brown shooting wide, but lack of defensive concentration was punished with a simple Gareth Barry header making it 2-0 on the stroke of half time. Trusted continued their ascendancy in the second half, despite the loss of the talismanic Barry through injury early on, and the impressive Sean Davis scored the goal of the game on 64, shooting in from 25 yards to make it 3-0.

Abacus hopes were briefly raised when Ben Thatcher felled Hasselbaink in the box, and Ian Harte celebrated his recall for Abacus by rifling in the resultant penalty. However Sean Davis capped his man of the match performance in the last minute, providing the cross for substitute Michael Gray to head home and seal a deserved win for Beef’s Trusted By Millions.

Trusted By Millions: Mark Schwarzer; Gareth Barry, Linvoy Primus, Ben Thatcher, Martin Taylor;
Jay-Jay Okocha, Sean Davis, Steven Gerrard, James Milner; Mikael Forssell, Kevin Phillips
Subs: Jussi Jaaskaleinen; Michael Gray; Johnnie Jackson; Juan Pablo Angel

Aardvark Abacus: Kasey Keller; Sol Campbell, Lauren, Ian Harte, Matthew Upson; Juninho, Michael Brown, Rohan Ricketts, Gary O’Neil; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Eidur Gudjonsson
Subs: Neil Sullivan; Hermann Hreidarsson; Vladimir Smicer; Nicolas Anelka

FA Cup Final 2004/5

The last time San Dimas and Claymore met in a final turned out to be surprisingly one-sided.

San Dimas High School 6 – 1  Claymore Athletic FC

Distin 4, 90                                               Rooney 67

Reid 67

Boumsong 90

Terry 90

Senderos 90

At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Attendance 75,000

San Dimas High School won the 2004/2005 WSFFL FA Cup Final by the biggest ever Cup Final margin, beating title challengers and current champions Claymore Athletic FC. Peej restored Jean-Alain Boumsong to his starting XI, and his partnership with Man of the Match Sylvain Distin proved the difference between the two sides.

It was Distin who gave San Dimas an early advantage, nodding home a Johansson corner in the 4^th minute. San Dimas then absorbed great pressure from Claymore, but their impressive back line, also including Terry and Senderos, held firm.

After an even first half, the game exploded in the 67^th minute. Wayne Rooney finally breached the steadfast San Dimas defence with a right foot shot from the middle of the penalty area. From the kick-off, Andy Reid restored San Dimas’ advantage with a thundering 25 yard shot which beat Friedel all ends up. From then on, Claymore looked vulnerable, and the result became a rout in the latter stages, with the entire back four registering on the scoresheet.

San Dimas High School: Tomas Sorensen; Sylvain Distin, John Terry, Philippe Senderos, Jean-Alain Boumsong; Matt Holland, Jonatan Johansson, Andy Reid, Ricardo Gardner; Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Mateja Kezman
Subs: Stefan Postma; Alain Goma; Antoine Sibierski; Dean Ashton

Claymore Athletic FC: Brad Friedel;Fernando Hierro, Olivier Bernard, Steve Watson, David Weir; Leon Osman, Lee Clark, Steed Malbranque, Stuart Downing; Wayne Rooney, Robert Earnshaw
Subs: Paul Smith, Radhi Jaidi, Lee Carsley; Marcus Bent

Week 27 Results

Aardvark Abacus 2 v 2 Claymore Athletic FC
Athletico Phoenix 1 v 0 The Cow-Faced Juniors
Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 1 v 3 Real Muppets
Mega Buck Bandits 0 v 0 Final Fantasy XI
The Dead Parrots 2 v 1 Bassett Allsorts
The Fabulous Artisans 0 v 1 Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Trusted By Millions 3 v 4 York’s Returning Glory
You Know Your Boston Rock FC 4 v 1 San Dimas High School

Fred's making it exciting, I'l say that for him. The 'Gardeners' stumbled to another defeat, this time to the Muppets, and the lead is down to three points. It hasn't been this close since January. Danny Sturridge, who must be one to watch out for next season, put Ryan's team ahead towards the end of the first half but Fred looked to have nicked a point when Fernando Torres opened his account for his new club with six minutes left. It wasn't to be. Florent Malouda has regained some of his early season form and struck on 90 minutes and Joleon Lescott added a clean. Ryan's had an in and out kind of season and this win has come too late for him to make a title charge. Boston Rock's title defence looked over after a defeat to Athletico Phoenix in week 21 left them 12 points adrift. Sheriff has guided his team to six straight wins since then to give them a sniff of a chance of claiming back to back titles. This week's win was a routine beating of San Dimas. Peter Odemwingie gave me an early lead (as has been the custom lately) but familiar names Bent, Lampard, Defoe and Terry gave the result an expected feel to it.

Boston Rock and the Muppets were the only top half teams to win this week. Trusted and the Artisans had unexpected defeats to lowly opposition to hand the Muppets the initiative in the race for third. Ben's team lost to bottom-placed Nil Satis (Paul's first win since November), a John O'Shea clean all that separated the sides, and Beef was thwarted by a Maxi Rodriguez hat-trick which was enough for Julian to get the victory.

Aardvark Abacus had been more like their old selves in recent weeks but after taking a two-goal lead against Claymore through Dirk Kuyt and Asamoah Gyan Clive struck back with two from Jordan Henderson. I did say he was in good form going into the Cup Final, it wasn't mind games! The Parrots are level on points with Claymore now following a 2-1 win over Bassett. Joe Hart's clean was the decider in this one.

Athletico Phoenix are two points away from that eighth place after beating the slumping CFJs. Robin van Persie on target yet again for Brian. Nothing's gone right for Chris since he signed Luis Suarez (a coincidence I'm sure!) Finally, nearly 27,000 flocked to see absolutely nothing happen in the Okus derby. Two points are all that are between the teams and a chance for Ceri to finish above Dave for the first time in six seasons.

FA Cup Final 2005/6

The season of the only husband v wife FA Cup Final...

You Know Your Boston Rock FC 4 - 0 Prettier Than You

Ferdinand 1

Lampard 59

Gabbidon 90

Robinson 90

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff        Att: 75,000

In this historic first ever husband vs. wife WSFFL FA Cup Final, You Know Your Boston Rock FC beat Prettier Than You by 4-0 to win the trophy for the third time, having won it in 1999/2000 and retained it in 2000/01. Only time will tell if it’s the first part of a double…

Boston Rock boss Sheriff sprung a surprise naming a young defence, one of which, Steven Taylor, didn’t last long in this contest. But it was his replacement Rio Ferdinand who opened the scoring early doors with a stout header. Prettier Than You were however undaunted by going behind, and took the game to the favourites. Shola Ameobi missed a glorious far post header following an inch-perfect cross from N’Zogbia, before he was forced off dazed following a collision with Boston Rock goalkeeper Robinson. N’Zogbia’s mazy runs were a constant worry for young full-back Richards, but Craig Bellamy, in such rich goalscoring form of late, was out of sorts and squandered his opportunities.

Both sides continued to attack in the second half. PTY’s Vassell had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside decision. Boston Rock’s Jermaine Jenas also had one chalked off after Richards had strayed offside. Finally, on 59 Frank Lampard ended his recent lean run in front of goal with a run and toe-poke past Myhre. PTY resistance crumbled thereafter, and Jenas’ drive from midfield prompted a late Boston Rock charge, led by substitute Defoe, who hit the crossbar with a rasping drive, before late goals for Gabbidon and Robinson gave the final score a lopsided look, and secured victory for the “Sky Heroes.”

You Know Your Boston Rock FC Team: Paul Robinson; Steven Taylor, Micah Richards, Danny Gabbidon, Liam Ridgewell; David Bentley, Harry Kewell, Frank Lampard, Jermaine Jenas; Darren Bent, Georgios Samaras 

Subs:Radek Cerny; Rio Ferdinand; Robert Pires; Jermain Defoe

Prettier Than You Team: Thomas Myhre; Jonathan Spector, Aaron Hughes, Richard Dunne, Bruno N’Gotty; Charles N’Zogbia, Matthew Etherington, Claudio Reyna, Reto Ziegler; Craig Bellamy, Shola Ameobi

Subs: Dean Keily; Zurab Khizanishvili; Kevin Kilbane; Darius Vassell

FA Cup Final 2006/7

Another final from the WSFFL archives. This one went to a replay...

York’s Returning Glory            1-3            Real Muppets

Tonge 39                                                       Ronaldo 28

                                                                      Reina 90

                                                                      Agger 90                                    90,000

The impressive Cristiano Ronaldo stroked the Muppets ahead midway through the first half, only for the game Yorks to hit back through Tonge before the break. However the Muppets had much the better of the second half, and 2 late goals from Reina and Agger secured the Cup. 

That came after the first match...

Real Muppets            2-2            York’s Returning Glory

Viduka 2 (5,75)                            Luke Young (90)

                                                     El Karkouri (90)                        90,000

The Muppets held sway early doors, following an early goal from Mark Viduka. Viduka added a second late on which looked to have sealed it, only for a late York’s fight-back, leading to goals from Young and El Karkouri to tie the game.

FA Cup Final 2007/8

In the run-up to this season's final here's one from the archives...

Real Muppets 5
Agbonlahor 78
Tevez 88
A.Cole (c)     
Duberry (c)
Abdoulaye Faye (c)

v (1)

You Know Your Boston Rock FC 1
Pennant 17

Att: 90,000

Congratulations to Ryan whose Real Muppets team clinched back to back WSFFL FA Cup wins with a resounding victory over Cup specialists You Know Your Boston Rock FC. Ryan becomes the first manager to retain the trophy since Sheriff did the feat in 1999/2000 and 2000/01. Incredibly it's Sheriff's first Cup Final defeat in his seventh final.

Things had started well for the 'Sky Heroes' when Jermaine Pennant fired them in front on 17 minutes. The much-travelled midfielder's shot finding its way in at the near post. Rio Ferdinand has marshalled Sheriff's defence brilliantly this season and it took over an hour for the Muppets to get back on terms. Cristiano Ronaldo had been the focus for Boston Rock's defence and had been denied by a great save and the post but perhaps Sheriff's team were guilty of paying him too much attention when Gabriel Agbonlahor had space to slot home from 12 yards with 12 minutes left.

The final, at a sold out Wembley Stadium, was set for a grandstand finish and it was the Muppets who found the next goal. Carlos Tevez managing to divert his close range header into the roof of Boston Rock's net. The goal broke the 'Sky Heroes' resistance and three Muppets clean sheets put a rather one-sided look on the final score.

Real Muppets: Reina; A.Cole, Duberry, Faye, Wheater; Anderson, J.Cole, Mendes, Ronaldo; Agbonlahor, Tevez
YKY Boston Rock FC: Cerny; R.Ferdinand, Johnson, S.Taylor, Ridgewell; Bentley, Dempsey, Jenas, Pennant; Zarate, Defoe

FA Cup Final roll of honour

Winners

5 - Claymore Athletic FC
5 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC
3 - Aardvark Abacus
3 - Fred West LG XI

3 - Real Muppets
3 - San Dimas High School

3 - Trusted By Millions

1 - Stanley Athletic FC

1 - The Fabulous Artisans
1 - Final Fantasy XI
1 - Rivermill Bassett
1 - Zachstar Incorporated

By year

2023/24 - Real Muppets 4 Aardvark Abacus 2

2022/23 - The Fabulous Artisans 1 Trusted By Millions 0

2021/22 - Stanley Athletic FC 4 Claymore Athletic FC 1 

2020/21 - Trusted By Millions 1 San Dimas High School 0 (after 0-0 draw)

2019/20 - Claymore Athletic FC 1 The Cow-Faced Juniors 0
2018/19 - Claymore Athletic FC 2 The Cow-Faced Juniors 0 (after 1-1 draw)
2017/18 - Aardvark Abacus 4 The Fabulous Artisans 0
2016/17 - Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 5 The Cow-Faced Juniors 1 (after 2-2 draw)
2015/16 - Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 5 Claymore Athletic 3
2014/15 - Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 3 Claymore Athletic 1
2013/14 - Final Fantasy XI 3 Trusted By Millions 0
2012/13 - Claymore Athletic FC 3 The Cow-Faced Juniors 2 (after 2-2 draw)
2011/12 - Claymore Athletic FC 5 You Know Your Boston Rock FC 3
2010/11 - San Dimas High School 2 Claymore Athletic FC 1
2009/10 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC 5 The Cow-Faced Juniors 1
2008/09 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC 2 The Cow-Faced Juniors 0
2007/08 - Real Muppets 5 You Know Your Boston Rock FC 1
2006/07 - Real Muppets 3 York's Returning Glory 1 (after 2-2 draw)
2005/06 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC 4 Prettier Than You 0
2004/05 - San Dimas High School 6 Claymore Athletic 1
2003/04 - Trusted By Millions 4 Aardvark Abacus 1
2002/03 - Aardvark Abacus 3 Trusted By Millions 0 (after 5-5 draw)
2001/02 - San Dimas High School 1 Aardvark Abacus 0
2000/01 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC 1 Trusted By Millions 0 (after 4-4 and 1-1 draws)
1999/00 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC 5 Elland Road Big Boys 1
1998/99 - Aardvark Abacus 5 Real Muppets 2
1997/98 - Trusted By Millions 2 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 1
1996/97 - Claymore Athletic 2 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 1
1995/96 - Rivermill Bassett 2 Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 1
1994/95 - Zachstar Incorporated 2 Snowy's Supersonic Rovers 1

Elokobi injury opens door for Flanagan

San Dimas High School defender George Elokobi has suffered a hamstring injury which could rule him out of the rest of the campaign.

Acting with surprising ruthlessness manager Paul Garratt has dispatched Elokobi from his squad and replaced him with Liverpool youngster John Flanagan.

The 18-yr-old right-back may well be one for the future but injuries could give him a debut against Boston Rock this weekend.

Some good performances may even see him take a place in this season's Cup Final against Claymore Athletic.

Week 26 Results

Bassett Allsorts 4 v 1 San Dimas High School
Claymore Athletic FC 3 v 1 The Cow-Faced Juniors
Final Fantasy XI 2 v 2 Athletico Phoenix
Mega Buck Bandits 1 v 4 Aardvark Abacus
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 0 v 3 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI
Real Muppets 1 v 4 The Fabulous Artisans
Trusted By Millions 2 v 1 The Dead Parrots
York’s Returning Glory 0 v 2 You Know Your Boston Rock FC

Fred hangs on to the six-point advantage after shrugging off the Nil Satis challenge. Rafael van der Vaart has been quiet recently but weighed in with two goals when it was needed. Boston Rock struck twice in the first half to beat York's and will keep Fred honest between now and the end of the season.

Another good result for the Artisans, this time sweeping the Muppets aside 4-1. Ben's team joins Ryan's on 49 points with Beef on the same number after beating the Parrots through first-half goals from Huth and N'Zogbia.

The FA Cup Finalists have been in different form since the semis. Clive made it back-to-back wins, coming from behind to beat the slumping CFJs while San Dimas made it three successive defeats since the semi going down to Bassett Allsorts.

Aardvark have run into good form a bit late and won the 'battle of the brothers' comfortably after going behind to Mega Bucks in the second minute. A late penalty from Robin van Persie and a Steven Carr clean brought Brian back from 2-0 down to earn a point against Final Fantasy.

Week 25 Results

Aardvark Abacus 2 v 1 Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Athletico Phoenix 5 v 1 York’s Returning Glory
Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 4 v 0 Final Fantasy XI
San Dimas High School 2 v 3 Claymore Athletic FC
The Cow-Faced Juniors 1 v 5 Real Muppets
The Dead Parrots 1 v 1 Mega Buck Bandits
The Fabulous Artisans 4 v 0 Trusted By Millions
You Know Your Boston Rock FC 3 v 0 Bassett Allsorts

Business as usual for Fred this week who keeps a six-point lead. His team strolled to a win over Final Fantasy with Dimitar Berbatov on target and heading towards the Golden Boot award. You need a good striker but let's not forget the contribution of Fred's defence this season and they notched three more cleans this week. It was comfortable for Boston Rock too who clearly aren't giving up the title lightly. Two from Andy Carroll in a 3-0 win over Bassett keeps Sheriff just about in touch.

A big win for the Muppets over the slumping CFJs this week. Ryan's team were led by two goals and an excellent performance by Danny Sturridge, he could be a great find for the future. Matthew Etherington scored a super solo goal for Chris but he's down to seventh and will have an eye on next season now. The fabulous Artisans moved level on points with Trusted after giving that team a 4-0 beating. Headed goals from C-Y Lee and James Collins had Ben in control by mid-way through the first half and David (Junior) Hoilett caught Beef's defence napping to make it three just before half-time. Both these teams need some consistency if they're to challenge for major honours anytime soon.

The Aardvarks are in the top six for the first time since week 8. Luca Modric and Dirk Kuyt struck for Ady but a Diniyar Bilyaletdinov bullet reduced the deficit for Nil Satis right on half-time. Surprisingly that was the end of the scoring. It was a much better performance from Paul's team, with four clean sheets cancelled in this one, but he's still four points adrift at the bottom. The mid-table battle is now desperately tight after Claymore beat San Dimas in the Cup Final rehearsal. This was a cracker with both teams leading at various points and Phil Bardsley blasting home a free-kick before a Branislav Ivanovic clean won the game for Clive. It probably means the Cup Final will be rubbish now!

Athletico Phoenix benefitted from that result and after their 5-1 over York's Brian's team are still in the eighth place shake-up. Robin van Persie was on target again but Brian will be more pleased that some of his other players chipped in for a change. Julian, on the other hand, may have to kiss goodbye to his outside hope of a top ten spot. The Parrots are the other team in that mid-table mix but Dean had to settle for a point against the Mega Bucks with Kenwyne Jones super hit cancelled out by Thomas Kuszczak's clean.

Week 24 Results

Bassett Allsorts 1 v 4 Real Muppets
Final Fantasy XI 3 v 1 San Dimas High School
Mega Buck Bandits 2 v 0 Athletico Phoenix
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 0 v 3 You Know Your Boston Rock FC
The Dead Parrots 1 v 1 Aardvark Abacus
The Fabulous Artisans 3 v 2 Claymore Athletic FC
Trusted By Millions 2 v 1 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI
York’s Returning Glory 2 v 0 The Cow-Faced Juniors

Part of a slump? Or just a blip? That's two defeats in three for Fred but four wins should still see him over the line. Trusted took the spoils in the match of the week with Javier Hernandez getting the winner from close in with six minutes left. Fernando Torres was unable to notch against his former club and now Fred needs to fit the Spaniard, Dimitar Berbatov and Didier Drogba into two starting places. Boston Rock are second and improved their goal difference with a 3-0 win over Nil Satis. Two of Sheriff's top scorers, Kevin Nolan and Darren Bent, doing the damage. Paul's team now cut adrift at the bottom.

The Muppets are ahead of Trusted in third by one goal. Ryan's team brushed aside a struggling Bassett side who have only won one game in the league this year. Three penalties did the trick for Ryan including two from Chris Brunt. The Artisans are fifth, their highest position this season after edging Claymore 3-2. There were a few penalties about this week and Leighton Baines effort for Ben was the clincher. (Although a dodge gone wrong from Clive consigned Wayne Rooney to the bench).

The CFJs have hit the buffers since their 9-1 win over the Parrots in January and have picked up just one point in 15. This week they went down to York's 2-0 with Peter Lovenkrands (a CFJs flop) opening the scoring for Julian. The Aardvarks and the Parrots stumbled to a 1-1 draw, unlikely scorers for both teams in Craig Gardner and Dickson Etuhu.

Both Okus-based teams picked up victories this week. Final Fantasy pulled four points clear of Nil Satis and hurt San Dimas' bid for eighth place at the same time. Johan Elmander put me in front but Yaya Toure struck back three minutes later and cleans from Salgado and Baird gave Ceri the points. Mega Bucks became the first team to stop Athletico Phoenix from scoring this year and picked up a much-needed three points through two Mark Noble first-half penalties.