The Herefordshire FA County Challenge Cup is the oldest competitive cup in Herefordshire and has a history dating back to 1876. However it is not the only County Cup run by Herefordshire Football Association. Here we take a look at all the champions from the 2018/19 HFA County Cups.

HFA County Challenge Cup Champions: Westfields FC
Midland Football League side Westfields FC proved too much for Pegasus FC of the West Midlands Regional League who deserve full credit for reaching the final. Brandon Powell made a string of saves early on and it took 17minutes for Westfields to make the initial breakthrough after Aidan Thomas converted a cross from Keanu Cooper. Westfields dominated the match with further goals coming from John Mills, Ollie Butler, Craig Jones, Alex Hainault and Aidan Thomas again. Pegasus came close towards the end with George Andrews forcing the Westfields goalkeeper into an early save. Westfields were worthy champions having knocked reigning cupholders Hereford FC out in the first round.

HFA Womens County Cup: Lads Club Ladies
Although some years ago Herefordshire shared a county cup with Worcestershire FA, this was the first season of running an independent HFA Women’s County Cup. The previous rounds had been a great advert for the women’s game in Herefordshire and the final was no different. Last season’s Midwest female football league champions, Lads Club Ladies were up against a much improved Ludlow Town who finished bottom of the same league in 2018. The teams had already met twice in the league with both teams winning at home, so the final on neutral ground was competitive as you would expect. Extended pressure from Lads Club in the first half rightly led to a one goal lead after a ball into the box was poked home by Mel Mayo. Lads Club then doubled their lead early in the first half thanks to a neat finish from Amy Bradley. This woke Ludlow up who pushed forwards in search of a goal which deservedly came thanks to a long range screamer from Katy Huntbach. The Hereford side remained calm and saw the game out to clinch the FA Womens County Cup in its first season back. A great final played in front of a good sized crowd bodes well for the future.

HFA Junior Cup Champions: Ludlow Town Colts
Ludlow Town Colts came from 1-0 down to beat Ledbury Town Reserves 3-1 in the final. A third goal in the last few minutes sealed victory for the Shropshire side who have since gone on to win the County League Division 1 title and claim a superb double; going the entire season unbeaten.

HFA Charity Bowl Champions: Ledbury Town
Ledbury Town were beaten Charity Bowl finalists last year but made amends in 2019 after beating Holme Lacy in the final. Holme Lacy fought back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 before Ledbury Town managed to grab a winner and lift the Bowl with a 3-2 win.

HFA Sunday Cup Champions: Colwall Wanderers
Colwall were up against newly formed Credenhill Rangers who had reached the final in their debut campaign after beating runaway league winners The Lion in the earlier rounds. A strong Colwall Wanderers managed a convincing 4-1 victory in the final though to ensure they took home the spoils.

HFA Giantkillers Cup Champions: Hereford FC U18
A thrilling final at Edgar Street was won 3-2 in extra time by Hereford FC U18. They were forced to come from behind on two occasions against Stourport Swifts who contributed to a hugely entertaining final. After losing the final last season Hereford managed to see the game out and won the cup.

HFA Girls Cup Champions: Lads Club Vixens u16
Lads Club Vixens won the girls cup for the second season in a row after beating Tupsley Girls in the final. Great performances from both teams made for a close game with Lads Club prevailing 5-3 in the end.

HFA Youth Cup Champions: Hereford FC U17
Hereford FC were pushed all the way by Ross Juniors in the Youth Cup Final and Ross will be hugely proud of their performance. After drawing at the end of both 90 minutes and extra time, Hereford required penalties to separate the teams and claim the Youth Cup.

Thank you to all the cup winners, finalists and competitors in this year’s HFA County Cups. Will your club lift one of the Cups next season? Affiliation and Cup Entry is open on Whole Game now for next season!