Cuppers Winners 25/26

Cuppers™️ Final.

NCAFC 4-0 Balliol

NCAFC returns to the peak of college football as a 4-0 demolition of Balliol brings home Cuppers™️ for the first time since 2019 and the fourth in the colleges history. Pasta night at Gradel with a rousing viewing of Henry V meant morale was high, but we felt this would be a test against a side that had had a comfortable road to the final.

As such, it was a cagey start to the game as both sides struggled to get the ball down, with NCAFC looking to test Balliol’s right side through Alec MT™️. This yielded a few shots on goal, but no clear chances - and it looked as if we would be going into half-time even, especially after Andy had a stonewall penalty denied. However, in the 2nd minute of added time our pressure was rewarded as Andy was this time given a penalty. No Liquids™️ stepped up, and with last nights J20 coursing through his veins slotted it home to give us the lead at the half.

Knowing the job wasn’t finished, we came into the second half looking to kill the game. However it was Balliol who started more brightly, and built some momentum. The backline of Harvey, August, Bassi and Will kept them at bay, and we grew into the half. Breaks for NCAFC led to chances and a handball in the box to a second penalty with a chance to put the game away. Again Liquids stepped up, but couldn’t convert this time. However, he made up for it minutes later - after good work from Kai and CF to win the ball back in midfield his cross was finished by Alec to give us a two goal lead.

From then it was plain sailing, as Balliol pushed and left gaps to exploit. Alec was set free down the left and his cross dummied by Andy to give Skates a tap in, and in the last minute of added time a 5 on 1 led to Andy teeing up Liquids for his second to put the game to bed. CF lifted the trophy in front of the jubilant NCAFC ultras, kicking off a weekend of celebrations culminating in a full kit trip to the sports bop.

A huge win for the college to cap off a dominant Cuppers™️ run in which we knocked off the two preceding champions. Having brought the trophy home, focus now turns to the league and sealing the double.