ICKENHAM YOUTH EAGLES CARRY OFF THE U14 CUP
The finals of the Middlesex FA’s Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 Cups were played on Sunday, 11th May at our Rectory Park HQ.
Our third and last match of the day was the final of the JN Smith U14 Cup, between Ickenham Youth Eagles and SYS Red.
The Middlesex Under 14 Youth Cup was first competed for in the 1969-70 season, when it was won by Heston CA.
The current holders of this cup were Cre8tive Football, who beat Edgware & Kingsbury 2-1 in the closing minutes of last season’s final.
46 teams entered this season’s competition.
Both of the finalists enjoyed successful seasons, finishing in 4th place in the top divisions of their respective leagues. Ickenham Youth Eagles play in the Wycombe & South Bucks Minor League Division 1 and SYS Red in the Premier Division of the Harrow Youth League.
Ickenham Youth Eagles reached this final with victories over Pinnstars Red (17-0 away) in round 1, Wealdstone Youth Red (5-1 away) in round 2, London Elite Youth (3-2 home) in round 3, Edmonton Rangers Scorpions (4-1 away) in the quarter-final and Halliford Colts Boys (3-2 home) in the semi-final.
SYS Red received a bye in the 1st round. They then beat Elite Magic (4-3 home) in round 2, Bedfont Eagles (3-2 away) in round 3, AFC Wembley Youth Red (12-1 home) in the quarter-final and Bedfont Eagles Rangers (3-2 home) in the semi-final.
The duration of the matches in this competition is 35 minutes each half. Rolling substitutions are used.
We were very pleased to welcome the Guest of Honour for this match, Middlesex FA Honorary Member, Robin Machell; who travelled up from West Sussex to be with us.
Robin qualified as a referee in 1969. He first became involved with Middlesex FA in 1980, as the Middlesex RA delegate on the County Referees Committee. He became a councillor and was Secretary of the Middlesex Youth FA for 10 years and was eventually its President for 6 years, before relocating to Sussex. He is still active in refereeing circles, becoming Chairman of Sussex RA. This year he was awarded Life Membership of the Referees’ Association. Robin was introduced to the players and match officials before thr match.
The teams played pleasing football and produced an interesting final, which was closer than the final score suggests. Following an evenly contested opening period, Ickenham Youth scored twice midway through the first half and led 2-0 at the interval. Ickenham added a 3rd goal in the 13th minute of the second half and sealed their victory with a 4th goal in time added on.
The first attempt on goal came in the second minute from Ickenham’s top scorer, Blue Clayton, whose shot on the turn from Harry Boxall’s pass, was saved by SYS keeper, Mortiz Koenig.
Then, at the other end of the pitch, Hugo Bamford’s low shot was saved by Ickenham’s Lewis Wenham.
Blue Clayton’s curling shot was narrowly wide.
Alex Connor’s long range freekick was taken high up by the SYS keeper.
Francisco Herbon’s run for SYS was ended by keeper, Lewis Wenham’s interception.
Lewis then turned Francisco’s high shot over the bar.
Blue Clayton put his side ahead in the 23rd minute, with a rocket shot high into the net from 25 yards.
A dangerous cross into the Ickenham goalmouth from Francisco Herbon, was scrambled away.
However, in the 25th minute, Blue Clayton doubled his team’s and his own goal tally, with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Francisco Herbon’s low shot was saved by the diving Lewis Wenham.
Blue Clayton skimmed the SYS crossbar with a freekick from just outside the box and then fired over again, with a curling shot.
Half-time score: Ickenham Youth Eagles 2 SYS Red 0
Blue Clayton worked towards goal along the bye-line but the keeper saved.
Lewis Wenham saved Kentaro Tamura’s curling shot.
Blue Clayton hit the SYS upright from the edge of the box.
In the 13th minute of the half, Ronan McFarlane scored the Eagles’ third goal, from a penalty awarded for a trip on Mahdi Ghambari.
Francisco’s ball into the Ickenham penalty area was kicked away from two oncoming SYS forwards, by keeper Lewis Wenham.
Adam Kyei broke through the SYS rearguard but was thwarted by keeper Mortiz Koenig.
Kentaro and Francisco were both off target with long range freekicks for SYS.
Ickenham’s Mahdi Ghambari completed the scoring in the 3rd minute of added time by beating three defenders and driving the ball home.
Final score: Ickenham Youth Eagles 4 SYS Red 0
The Guest of Honour, Robin Machell, presented the Cup and the individual medals at the conclusion of the game. He chose Ickenham Youth striker, Blue Clayton as Player of the Match.
Attendance: 196
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Ickenham Youth Eagles: Lewis Wenham, Jack Sharman (capt), Jesse Barber, Harry Boxall, Ronan McFarlane, Mahdi Ghambari, Alex Connor, Freddie Clark, Jake Cleverley, Blue Clayton and Mason Greenridge.
Rolling substitutes: Kishan Brar, Jake Lindsey, Adam Kyei, Sahej Shergill and Connor Finnegan.
Manager: Simon Boxall Coach: Richard Sharman.
SYS Red: Mortiz Koenig, Anton Al Khalil (capt), Mattia Kansara, Mert Zeren, Alex Hodges, Remy Kumar, Jack Shepard, Kentaro Tamura, Jake Potter, Francisco Herbon and Hugo Bamford.
Rolling substitutes: Zachary McDonough, Salvador Birts and Edgardo Stucchi.
Manager: Charlie Fry-Jones Coaches: Nayson Spenceley and Jamie Lofthouse.
REFEREE: David Lewis ASSISTANT REFEREES: Jack Langman and Alexander James-Bloom FOURTH OFFICIAL: Nicholas Lakeland.
Report: Jim Taylor
Photography: Chris Benn