A hattrick for Amit Bhudia of Libra Wealth secured a 4-2 victory for Team GBG over Team Health & Protection in the third edition of the FJN Cup at Horsham Football Club.
In a highly competitive game, Tom Stafford of Charles Taylor Assistance grabbed both goals for Team Health & Protection with Scott Shorey scoring Team GBG’s first, but Bhudia’s three strikes including a dipping free kick (pictured above) proved the difference between the sides.
The event also raised £1,180 for charity Wolfram UK which helps to fund research and provide support for those affected by Wolfram Syndrome and their families.
For the third game running, the weather was kind as the sun shone and the two teams, clad in their new sponsored kits, started brightly however early injuries left Team GBG (in blue) light on numbers.
They also struggled to deal with Team Health & Protection’s (in white) high line and were caught offside on several occasions in the first 20 minutes.
After pre-planned wholesale changes midway through the first half the game opened-up with chances for both teams and on 40 minutes Stafford cut out an under hit back pass to round goalkeeper Dan Small of FJN to open the scoring for the white team.
However, the blue team responded quickly with Shorey coolly converting a measured through ball to make sure the honours were even at the break.
The second half saw Bhudia steal the show scoring twice in quick succession, outpacing the team white defence to score two in the space of 10 minutes, with both goals smartly assisted by Chris Martin of Axa.
Team GBG maintained a period of sustained pressure and looked likely to add to their tally but Team Health & Protection battled back into contention when Stafford scored his second of the afternoon with a coolly taken penalty.
However, with the scores at 3-2 Bhudia completed his hattrick with a beautiful free kick curled over the white wall and into the far corner to complete the scoring.
Final score: Team GBG 4-2 Team Health & Protection
James East of Charles Taylor Assistance and Bhudia secured the richly deserved player of the match awards for their respective teams and were presented their prizes by Claire Hargreaves of GBG and Owain Thomas of Health & Protection.
Jon Day of One Claim Ltd awarded the trophy to winning captain Dan Small of FJN and Claire Hargreaves of GBG. The trophy will stay with GBG until the next match.
The organisers would like to thank all those involved in the event and are looking forward to the next one.
The teams
Team Health & Protection
Dan Stoner
Stuart Page
Nick Hale
Alfie Jacques
Bal Basra
Morgan Simpson
Tom Stafford
James Walker
Neil Heasman
Grix Pringle
Rob Baird
James East
Owain Thomas
Juan Pena-Nunez
Jayson Glover
Ric Mustard
Team GBG
Dan Small
Darren Fletcher
Adam Stretton
Bruno Coelho
Andy Goodwin
Dan Woods
Richard Grover
Kieran Brown
Chris Martin
Lloyd Tutt
Amit Bhudia
Paul Gallacher
Matt Bradley
Christian Jarvest
Dan Purchase
Scott Shorey
Mark Channer