Pheonix Vets led Bradford’s charge on the Northern Football Championships with a measured and organised display in the final.
The Star Tissue UK Football Championships attracts clubs from across the North West and Yorkshire and this year was played over several weeks at Witton Park 3G Pitches.
On hand to present the awards on behalf of trophy sponsor One Stop Vehicle Solutions was Blackburn Rovers striker Tyrhys Dolan.
In the Vets section Pheonix overcame Club 58 in the final having beaten holders Coppice United in the Semi-finals 2-1.
Pheonix looked far more settled from the kick-off and they had the defensive partnerships of Khan, Hussain and Brown to thank for much of their build up play. Up front they had Iqbal’s darting runs and great hold up play kept the opposition guessing.
This was by no means a classic and but for the first twenty minutes it was played at a high tempo with both sides looking to strike the first blow.
Club 58 did attempt to force Pheonix into mistakes early on and may have gone ahead but the finishing let them down.
Pheonix, eventually did take the lead mid-way through the half with a clever little finish from Iqbal who wrong-footed two defenders. They could have made it two if it was not for a wonderful low save from Esat.
Captain Ish Hussain collects the Vets trophy
It was only after a few changes did Club 58 looked a little more threatening and came close through a header in the second half. They did well to create the odd chance but it was going to take something special to beat this Pheonix back line who were ably supported well by keeper Khan.
Finalists Club 58 line up
Pheonix claimed their first Vets trophy and looked organised and comfortable for long periods in the match. Club 58 did well to keep themselves in the match but a lack of goal scoring threats let them down.
Rovers striker Tyrhys Dolan presents the player award to Shezad Iqbal
Blackburn Rovers striker Tyrhys Dolan who was joined by local councillors Iftikhar Hussain, Parvaiz Akhtar and Shokat Hussain. Alongside local councillors he presented the winners trophy to Pheonix captain Ishaq Hussain.
Shezad Iqbal picked up the Player of the Tournament Award for his efforts over two matches.
Players and fans from both sides posed with Dolan as he spent time chatting to local footballers at the final held on Sunday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here