Glenavon	5	Griffiths 2, Stenhouse, Beardsmore, Lynch
Upton FC	2

 

WJL Challenge Cup Final – The Glen

It was a beautiful night for the final. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the pitch was immaculate. It had all the all the ingredients for a great final.

Our opponents were a very fine Upton team, who had completed a league double over us, earlier in the season and who had secured 2nd place in the league just this week.

However from the moment I arrived and saw the determination on the boys faces, all my worries and nerves that I’d been suffering throughout the day (and during the course of a sleepless Saturday night) evaporated quickly. They’d been here before having appeared in 3 finals in the last 2 years and knew what was expected. They were relaxed and, more importantly, totally up for it… and how…!

The boys totally dominated the first half and within 5 minutes were 1 – 0 up. A fine corner from the right by Joe Wingfield caused confusion in the Upton defence and there was Sean Griffiths, Johnny on the Spot, to lash the ball home.

Upton seemed to visibly wilt, but I suppose when faced with the intensity with which the boys were playing it wasn’t all that surprising.

A fine through ball from Wingy set Jake Beardsmore through. He used his pace and strength to hold off their centre back and then coolly despatched the ball over their advancing keeper.

A third soon followed when, after good pressure by the forward line, Stevie Lynch charged down a clearance and directed the ball into the net.

Though the forward line had claimed the plaudits so far, this was the finest half of football the whole team had put in throughout the season and it was the midfield and defence who were providing the foundation for the lead with their hard work making them appear impenetrable. As such we were able to take a 3-0 lead to half time.

The second half began as it ended with more strong play from Glenavon but as expected Upton began to make a comeback and goalkeeper Luke Dixon had to be alert and on his toes to clear the danger on a couple of occasions.

However it was Glenavon who added to the scoring next. A beautifully flighted free kick from Wingy was steered into the net with a back post volley by Sean Griffiths, his second of the game.

With 20 minutes to play we were looking comfortable, but then Upton scored after we had conceded a poor free kick.

A slight doubt entered both mine and assistant Mark Borrill’s mind but these were soon dispelled by a cool finish from an acute angle by Sean Stenhouse  following his fine run down the left wing.

Upton rallied for a second goal with minutes remaining, but by then the result was almost assured. Even after that set back the boys recovered quickly and were able to maintain their focus and continue their tireless work rate to see out the final few minutes and eventually run out worthy winners in a 5-2 victory.

Man of the match was Harry Cumming who put in a typically accomplished and hard working performance

So, well done…to not only the Team, but also to the parents who have provided such wonderful support both on and off the pitch for the boys as well as to myself and Mark. The result was the cherry on the cake of what has been a hugely enjoyable and successful season for the under 11’s.

Report - Alan Griffiths