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FA People's Cup finalists strut their stuff in Manchester

Monday 25 May 2015
G4G celebrate victory

Teams spanning the length and breadth of the country are on their way to Wembley after triumphing on FA People's Cup finals day in Manchester.

The competition, which began in February, featured 14,000 teams over 10 categories, with the overall winners set to be presented with their trophies at half-time in Saturday's FA Cup Final between Premier League giants Arsenal and Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.

The first final set the tone for a fiercely competitive day in Manchester, with Zara Garrad scoring the winner as AFC Kempston Girls and Ladies saw off Ashton Pumas in the Under-14s girls contest.

AFC Kempton Girls and Ladies, in red and white, take on Ashton Pumas in the U14s Final

AFC Kempston Girls and Ladies, in red and white, take on Ashton Pumas in the U14s Final

The tie had been all square with Ashton Pumas' Maria Figueiredo cancelling out Maya Sidhu's strike, before Garrad pounced to send the Bedfordshire-based side to Wembley.

“It feels amazing,” said Garrad. “My goal took a bit of a deflection off a defender, but I am just so pleased we won.

“I'm an Arsenal fan, so I hope they win on Saturday. It's great to be going with all the girls.”

Next up, Adam Aziz proved G4G FC's star man, thrashing in a brilliant double to help his Under-14s boys side defeat Abraham Moss Warriors 3-2.

Liam Hunt and Aziz had notched for G4G, although Blert Jacaj struck to give the Warriors a lifeline. 

But Arsenal supporter Aziz ensured he would make it to Wembley, running from deep inside his own half before powering a strike in off the crossbar. Ali Sajad drilled in a free-kick to reduce the arrears, but G4G held firm.

Cambridge United U16 Girls FC celebrate with the trophy

Cambridge United U16 Girls FC celebrate with the trophy

Cambridge United edged out Ole United in the Under-16s girls final, with Tahnee Perfect squeezing in the winner at the near post. After Amy Reed opened the scoring, Jade O'Connor hit back. 

The tie looked destined to end all-square in normal time after Elizabeth Hobson made a spectacular save for Ole, before Perfect had the final say.

“We were trying so hard, I really wanted it and was so happy when I got the goal,” said Perfect, 16. “Wembley is going to be amazing. I've been there for a tour, but never watched a game there, so I am so excited.”

ARD 7 celebrate their Boys U16 Final victory

ARD 7 celebrate their Boys U16 Final victory

In the same age group, Sussex-based ARD 7 and Websters JFC played out a sensational seven-goal thriller. Websters looked to be on their way to Wembley, leading 3-2 thanks to two goals from Andrew Hollands and another from Iwan Webster. 

But two late strikes, including Oscar Haynes-Brown driving in the winner – and his second of the afternoon – saw ARD 7 progress with Toby Cassidy and Oscar McConnell also on the scoresheet.

“I thought we had lost once it went to 3-2, but we got it back in the last couple of minutes,” said Haynes-Brown. “I couldn't believe it when my second went in, it was just a bit of a hit and hope but it was great to see it go into the bottom corner.

“The boys are my best mates. So it will be a brilliant day.”

CP winners West Midlands

CP winners West Midlands

Playing simultaneously on pitch 9, England star Harry Baker struck twice as West Midlands CP beat North West 6-5 in the Cerebral Palsy final.

England development squad duo Eddie Flinn and Jordan Twiss bagged two goals apiece for North West and Dylan Coady also found the net.

But Andrew Riddle added to Harry Baker's double, and goals from Callum Bland and Connor Rawling proved decisive.

By FA Staff