Champions!

Aon Benfield 3-0 Marsh & McClennan (held at The Valley)

It is said that it is always harder to defend a title rather than to win one, and Aon Benfield know this only too well having twice previously won the Lloyd’s Community Shield. However, last Wednesday, Aon Benfield put in a performance of such domination to retain the title, and in doing so becoming the first Company to achieve this feat in over a decade, that it would be a disappointment not to go on and win more titles.

On paper the two sides appeared evenly matched, that was until the game kicked off when it was clear that Aon Benfield were the better side. So much so that all the initial play was in the Marsh half. And, it wasn’t too long before the first chance fell to Dominic Cavalli who could only drag his effort wide from ten yards out. Lee Samways and Dom Farmer were causing havoc down both flanks, supported superbly by overlapping full backs in Jamie Topping and Matt Foreman. Indeed, it was a deft chip over the top from Foreman, after more great work from Farmer, that left Michael Chukwuma one on one with James Cook in the Marsh goal. Chukwuma was first to the ball lofting it over the keeper from the edge of the area and in to the empty net and it was 1-0 and his fourth goal of another great season. Marsh were struggling to get a foothold in the game and when they did venture into the Aon Benfield half they would be met by the formidable centre half pairing of Wes Perry, playing in his third final, and James Ishmail marshalled admirably by Chris Peck in the Aon Benfield goal.

The 2nd half started in much the same way as the first with, Captain, David Tilley and Dan Dunlop continuing to dominate possession and dictating play in the centre of the park. Cavalli, playing in a more advance position than normal, and Chukwuma were linking up at will and it took Aon Benfield only 6 minutes of the half to double their lead with Cavalli driving across Cook in to the far corner from Samways inch perfect through ball. Marsh almost struck back immediately after Peck fumbled a free kick then Foreman cleared the resulting rebound off the line. However, on the hour, the game was over a contest as Farmer was rewarded for his fine efforts with Aon Benfield’s third after being put clear by Dunlop. His shot beating Cook at his near post.

Mark Bannister came on for the injured Samways and was in to the action early setting Cavalli free but his effort was high and wide when he really should have done better. Tilley then had the opportunity to cap a man of the match performance with a goal of his own but choose to square to Cavalli instead. Alas, Cavalli’s finish didn’t match the quality of the earlier run and he was soon withdrawn to make way for Dan Rutter. Elliott Stone came on for Dunlop and Kevin Glanville replaced Dom Farmer as the game drifted towards its conclusion.

When the referee blew for full time it was met with satisfaction rather than elation. This is squad which goes about its business in a professional manner with a desire to win and to win well. This particular performance was years in the making and capped another excellent season. A season that has seen several of the squad selected to represent the Lloyd’s of London Football Team and two in particular, Lee Samways and Michael Chukwuma, selected to represent them on their forthcoming tour to Miami and Houston.

Aon Benfield represented by: Chris Peck; Jamie Topping (Phil Wheeler), Wes Perry, James Ishmail, Matt Foreman; Lee Samways (Mark Bannister), David Tilley, Dan Dunlop (Elliott Stone), Dom Farmer (Kevin Glanville); Dominic Cavalli (Dan Rutter), Michael Chukwuma. Subs Not Used: Jonathan Forwood, Matt Dieu de Bellefontaine, Dan Harwood

Goalscorers: Michael Chukwuma, Dominic Cavalli, Dom Farmer

Thanks to Dominic Cavalli for providing the report. Dominic works with Brian Rutter and John mcGowan in the UK FAC Broking Team. Another interesting snippet is that Lee Samways is the nephew of ex-Spurs midfielder Vinny Samways.   Finally I can only dream of someone with the name as exotic as Matt Dieu de Bellefontaine playing for Charlton. Imagine the songs....