Last year’s champions, the Cannons football team from Oakleigh, added another significant piece of ‘gold’ to their rich collection after overcoming Heidelberg United in a passionate and hard-fought final. Chris Taylor’s well-built football ‘machine’ took to the pitch determined to take the trophy back to Cheltenham.
The 22 footballers of the two finalists showed caution in the opening minutes, circulating the ball mainly in the middle area of the pitch without easily finding corridors to the two goals. The tension broke on the 28th minute when the Cannons tipped the scales in their favor with a thrilling moment. Gunners captain Joe Guest received the ball inside the Reds’ box, and Ajdin Fetahagic moved to knock him down, resulting in a penalty and red card for the Heidelberg United defender. Joe Guest stepped up to take the penalty and put the Cannons 1-0 up.
Despite being a man down, Giorgos Katsakis’ Heidelberg United team fought for the trophy, but the Cannons tightened their lines, circulated the ball intelligently, and went into the break with the scoreboard in their favor. The second half started with the Cannons showing the will to score another goal, which came in the 58th minute when Alex Salmon was brought down in the box, giving captain Joe Guest the chance to score from the penalty spot. Alex Salmon then added the icing on the cake in the 83rd minute, making it 3-0 and celebrating with the rest of the footballers and the technical staff of the historic club.
This was the Cannons’ fourth title in twelve months, an incredible performance to celebrate 50 years since the establishment of the historic “Greek” football club.
