LFA Sunday Trophy Final 2024

Mill Hill 1 - 1 Bamber Bridge United (S)
Mill Hill won 4-3 on penalties.

Mill Hill captured the LFA Sunday Trophy for a record equalling 4th time drawing level with the famous Forrest Arms teams of the 1980's & 90's, when they beat Bamber Bridge United 4-3 on penalties.

There was no doubt that Bamber Bridge United were the stronger team in the first half and they had several opportunities to add to their score, but a combination of missed chances and some fine keeping by James Whittingham in the Mill Hill goal saw the interval arrive with Bamber Bridge United leading 1-0.

The oldest cliché in football is that “it’s a game of two halves” and this final was no exception. Mill Hill took the initiative in the second half and they looked the stronger team for long periods. It took a fine save from United’s keeper Harvey Collins on 52 minutes to keep their advantage. Mill Hill pressure saw them hit the bar on 70 minutes and they equalised three minutes later after a goalmouth scramble.

The game had some tetchy periods and some of the tackling from both sides bordered on the industrial, so it was no surprise when things boiled over in the 82nd minute. First Alex Randell (Bamber Bridge United) was sent off for foul & abusive language and then Corey Cook (Mill Hill) was dismissed controversially after an off the ball incident 'not involving him' following a foul on Bamber Bridge player Sam Braithwaite.

At this point the game had penalties written all over it and so it came to pass. With the spot kicks level on 3-3, Mill Hill missed their fourth penalty and so did Bamber Bridge. However, Mill Hill scored their fifth kick, only for United’s effort to go high and wide and thus the final belonged to Mill Hill.