Well a fine way to close the 2024-25 season for me, by reporting on a game played between two historic teams, on a new ground I hadn’t visited before, and on cup final Saturday too.

The Royal Engineers AFC are a team representing the Corps of Royal Engineers, the “sappers” of the British army. Their base is in Chatham. Back in the 1870s they were a really strong side and it culminated in them winning the FA Cup exactly 150 years ago in 1875, beating the Old Etonians 2-0 after a replay, following a 1-1 draw. Today being cup final day, the match had significance on the 150th anniversary.

The Royal Engineers play in the Army FA Massey Trophy league 1, where they finished second this season, They still wear the scarlet and blue hoops they have worn since their founding in 1863.

Upton Park FC are a team with their own FA Cup history, having been included in the first Fa Cup competition in 1871. They also represented Great Britain in the first ever Olympic football competition, in Paris in 1900, winning a coveted goal medal. The team disbanded in 1911 but was reformed in 2016, playing friendly and charity matches. Upton Park play in red and black hooped shirts and white shorts.

In bright sunshine and with just six minutes on the clock, Upton Park FC were ahead. Their centre forward broke free and took the ball around the keeper to finish easily making it 0-1.

On 12 minutes a repeat of the first goal saw the visitors go 0-2 up. Their centre forward breaking free, to finish with aplomb, sending the ball nestling into the net.

The Royal Engineers AFC players didn’t drop their heads and came back immediately hitting the post within a minute of the restart. Upton Park FC absorbed the pressure and were three ahead in the 33rd minute, with a well taken finish.

With just four minutes left in the half, Royal Engineers AFC had a glimmer of hope again, when they were awarded a penalty after a rash challenge in the penalty area. It was finished confidently to make the score at the break 1-3, sending the sides in with much more than anticipated, to play for in the second half.

Five minutes after the restart it was back to a three goal margin at 1-4, with the Upton Park FC Centre-Forward completing a fine hat trick.

With sixty eight minutes on the clock Upton Park’s centre forward made it 1-5 with a beautiful curled finish, which evaded my filming to secure four goals in the game for the striker.

A driven header from a corner in the 78th minute saw the Sappers claw a deserved goal back, to make it 2-5, restoring a little pride to the scoreline.

As the full time whistle blew, it was Upton Park FC who came away on this cup final themed day, with a solid 2-5 away win.

The ground at Kings Bastion, was really beautifully maintained and provided a charming setting for a well contested match. I struggled to find any team sheets today, so will add the scorers names into the comments if I find them. A great venue to close off my season of reporting.