Posted by Steve on Sunday, 27th April, 2008 at 3:52 pm
YEL League Division 1 Under 12 Cup Final
CMWFC Colts vs. Pelican Colts Blue
At Burton Joyce “The Poplars” Ground
Sunday 27th April 2008 (YELC) k.o. 12:00
Calverton MW Colts 3 - 0 Pelican Colts Blue
Hakeem Jackson 6
Bradley Woodcock 32
Preston Robinson 52
subs Brendan, Callum, Ben, Elliot and Joe
A buoyant Calverton side go into today’s final full of confidence. Already crowned league division 1 champions, the lads didn’t show any nerves before the start and were keen to top off the season with another trophy. The game played at Burton Joyce began a few minutes late with confusion on the pitch allocations, finally the correct pitch is located and Calverton get the game under way. The lads immediately pour into Pelicans territory and Preston gets an early shot just off target. Then 6 minutes in Hakeem breaks down the right and threads in a lovely ball for Preston to strike, the Pelican keeper makes a fine save but the loose ball falls to Hakeem who plants it into the net to give Calverton the early lead. Pelican not offering much up field begin to get their passing game together and earn their first corner 3 minutes later, Harry clears that one away. At the other end David plays a ball through for Preston but the linesman flag goes up after some great build up play from Hakeem. 19 minutes played and Hakeem again with a good strike just wide of the upright. Calverton are getting most of the possession plus any time Pelican seize the initiative the lads close them so quickly and force most of the play in Pelicans half. No further goals and the half finishes 1-0 to Calverton.
Second half changes rotates the keepers with Brendan on for Ryan and Pelican start the second half kicking up a slight slope. Only two minutes of the half played and Brad gets a stunning headed goal after Preston whips one across the face of goal. 2-0. Calverton continue to pile on the pressure with Brad hitting the ball over the bar. 41 minutes on the clock and Mick brings off David for Ben to get involved in the action. 44 minutes and Hakeem earns a corner after Brendan’s huge kick down field sets him off towards goal. Hakeem is there to steer ball towards goal but the Pelican keeper collects. Calverton continue to push forward and Preston perched on the last man is deemed offside from Brads ball and then again from Ben’s a minute later. 10 minutes to go and Pelican’s urgency gets them a break but the shot is a poor one and Brendan easily saves. Another change from Mick puts Elliot on and Harry off. Elliot immediately involved playing Hakeem through but the Pelican defence close him down. Then with 8 minutes left to play Calverton give Pelican an near impossible task to get back into the game by getting the killer third goal. A lovely header from Hakeem drops to Preston who gets through one on one with the keeper, and he slots it away. 3-0. More changes give every player a taste of Cup Final football with Callum replacing Luke and Joe on for Preston. Pelican just can’t find their way through and Calverton keep pouring on the pressure, Hakeem and Darrell coming close. Then Callum working from the left tests the keeper from distance with a lovely strike but the keeper does well to tip it round the post The final whistle is agonisingly close and Pelican earn a corner Brendan cant get to it and Elliot clears it from the line. The ref deems that the final play of the game and an elated Calverton step up to collect their second award this season. Well done lads a fantastic end to a fantastic season. Thank you Pelican for your sporting congratulations and thanks also to Burton Joyce FC for the excellent pitch and facilities. Man of the match awarded by the referee was Dane Wakefield.
