Match of the Day
A STAR performance from Chad Bugeja has helped Brahma Lodge to a stunning 3-0 win over Elizabeth Downs in the Challenge Cup Final at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The League Championship winning Downs came into the game looking to add to the clubs five Cup titles by winning their 4th in seven years while Brahma were looking to win their 2nd Challenge Cup having won the 2016 cup final.
Both sides created early chances with Downs captain Scott Lindsay striking the post from long distance on six minutes while at the other end Jordan Pudler played in Michael Mullen whose shot through a crowded defense also hit the post.
On the half hour Downs play maker Sean Brennan cut inside before shooting just wide.
On 32 minutes Bugeja skipped past a defender before racing into the box only to have his shot charged down by the out coming Downs keeper Ben Aldridge.
The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes when a pin point cross from Dillon Centrone picked out Bugeja who headed home from close range.
Three minutes later the Maroons could have equalised when Braiden Gundlach played in Matt Watson but his scuffed shot was well saved by keeper Jimmy McKee’s feet.
A minute into the 2nd half a Mark Kelly free kick came close while Bugeja shot just over the bar from a tight angle on 50 minutes.
Brahma had one hand on the cup on 57 minutes when Bugeja glided past two defenders before playing in Mullen who steadied before slotting home to the cheers of the Lodge faithful.
Any hopes of a Downs comeback were shelved on 73 minutes when a Matthew Bekirovski corner was headed home by defender Aleks Simic who was named man of the match.
The Brahma win ends an eight-year streak that has seen the Sunday League Champions win the Challenge Cup title as well.
Brahma coach Freddy Agius “After losing to the Downs in round 13 we knew our league hopes were gone so we penciled in the Cup as an opportunity to win something. We changed our formation today and seemed to match up well, it was even early but I thought after we got the goal we controlled the match.”
Downs coach Steve Hughes had no complaints “I think the better team won and congratulations to them. Our boys have had a great season and maybe today was just a game too much for us.”
2018 Challenge Cup Final Write Up
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- Apprentice
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Re: 2018 Challenge Cup Final Write Up
Enjoyed the write ups all year again!! Thanks to Craig for the efforts and look forward to reading them in season 2019
Everyone can enjoy a well earned off season
Everyone can enjoy a well earned off season
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- Promising Junior
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Re: 2018 Challenge Cup Final Write Up
Majority thought Chad was b.o.g.
Who decided b.o.g ? Referee ??
Shout out to Craig for the write ups every week. He did a great job.
Who decided b.o.g ? Referee ??
Shout out to Craig for the write ups every week. He did a great job.