Aigburth Arms 2-1 SE Dons - Match Report

Elliott Hughes’ decisive goal with twenty minutes remaining proved to be the goal that sent Aigburth Arms to the National Cup final, with a 2-1 victory over SE Dons.

Their opponents will be St Joes, after they secured their spot in the final two after a 3-1 victory over Pineapple.

The game began with a feeling of a nervous tempo, with neither side being able to get a foothold in the game and pashes were rushed and possession given away cheaply.

It was the side from Liverpool who took the lead early on, as the Arms punished the Dons on a devastating counter attack.

Phil Heron overlapped down the right and his weapon of a right foot managed to pick out John Parkinson in the area, and his diving header flew into the corner, out of Kamurasi’s reach.

Within minutes, the Dons were back on level terms, putting the game back to square one in a matter of minutes.

It caused great confusion as Kieron Campbell rounded Phil Thompson and finished, but there was an alleged handball on the line. Eventually, the offender was booked and the goal was given.

Campbell broke down the other end straight away looking to turn the game on its head within a matter of minutes.

A firm drive by the Dons 20 was gathered with relative ease by Phil Thompson.

George Kamurasi, known by the YouTube faithful as ‘Big G’ was forced into a routine save, as the big shot-stopper scrambled across his box to deny Elliott Hughes’ header.

Both sides had efforts to close the half with the all important second goal to take the leas going into half time.

The Arms were first up, and Owen Hough was splendidly slipped in as he only had Kamurasi to beat, but the big keeper was able to stick his arm out to keep Hughes at bay.

Down the other end, Rory Hill shifted the ball onto his left foot from the edge of the area and struck, but the upper side of the crossbar denied Hill as the scores were level at the break.

HT: Aigburth Arms 1-1 SE Dons

The Dons came flying out the blocks in the second half, meaning the Arms had to soak up the pressure, and for the most part they did, but a few times the Dons broke round the back and had some efforts.

Kieron Campbell seemed to be the Dons’ most potent threat going forward, with his first effort leaving most of the ground bemused how he never slotted home.

The Dons 20 rounded an advancing Phil Thompson who raced out of his goal, but he fluffed his line at the last, blazing wide.

Aigburth Arms injected impetus into their game, firing multiple warning shots, none more threatening than Ben Cook’s flying strike that was denied by the Dons’ ‘keeper.

Patience finally paid off for the Arms, as they eventually regained their lead. Owen Hough’s cross picked out the run of Luke Denton, and his nod across was met by Elliott Hughes who sent the Aigburth faithful into ecstasy.

More valiant Arms defending was required to keep the Dons frustrated and despite a constant cycle of pressure, they couldn’t break down the Arms’ astute back-line.

As the full-time whistle echoed into the brisk Northampton air, a sea of boisterousness rang round Sixfields as the Aigburth Arms knew they’d achieved the feat of many Liverpool teams - the last the Campfield in 2021 - as they reached the podium of Sunday League football, the National Cup final.

FT: Aigburth Arms 2-1 SE Dons