Auburn FC crowned Cottam Cup Champions
Auburn FC has reigned supreme in a pulsating Cottam Cup final 3-1 against Auburn Districts under the bright lights at Melita Stadium on Wednesday evening as part of the Granville & District Football Association’s showpiece event.
The Cottam Cup, named after soldier John Willie Cottam, who died in combat during the first World War, certainly had a game that lived up to these high expectations.
Auburn FC started off the contest on the front foot with two goals before the half-time break to Vitor Silva and Ahmet Taslak which sent them on course for the victory. E. Topal added a third to confirm the victory late on as they got their names engraved on the historic cup.
For the Districts side – they pulled a goal back in the second half thanks to Berhan Kassem to make for an exciting final half hour but continued to push until the final whistle despite going down 3-1.
On a chilly night out in Sefton, the action warmed up early as Taslak fired the first shot in only the second minute then went close in the 9th with a close range free-kick.
The Auburn side dominated the first half in the contest and Silva converted the pressure into a goal after two classic blocks from the Districts goalkeeper Ali Jalilibaleh to make it 1-0.
Soon it was 2-0 as a teasing corner found it’s way to Taslak who rifled a shot past the despairing goalkeeper to some wild celebrations on the Auburn FC bench.
It took a piece of magic from Ahmad Chandab for Districts to drag them back into the contest. He fired a lovely diagonal ball into the path of Kassem who fired home at the near post to make it 2-1.
The goal woke up the Districts portion of the crowd as they urged their side forward chasing an equaliser but they were unable to test the Auburn FC keeper on many occasions.
For Auburn FC, they had a handful of chances to ice the game as I. Hadiffe was in the clear twice but couldn’t find the back of the net.
They also went close through Mustafa Akca when his free-kick struck the base of the post and agonizingly bounced wide of the post.
Auburn FC eventually found the third decisive goal as Topal strode clear, rounded the Districts keeper then nestled the ball in the left corner for 3-1.
Afterwards a jubilant Auburn FC coach Atalay Vayinder was lost for the words but outlined how much winning the prestigious Cottam Cup was for his team.
Cottam Cup Final
Wednesday 28th June 2017
Melita Stadium
Auburn FC 3 (Silva ’18, Taslak ’24 and Topal ’84)
Auburn Districts 1 (Kassem ’60)
-By Justin Davies
