We started our cup final programme last Thursday evening, 14th March, with the Jeff Ritson Senior Youth Cup final. We chose Bedfont Sports’ splendid 3G pitch and facilities for this, our top youth final. This season’s finalists were the Under 18 teams of Bedfont Sports Club and the current holders, Cockfosters FC. 

Jeff Ritson, a former President of Middlesex Youth FA, was an enthusiastic and tireless worker for all football but particularly youth football in the County. It is entirely appropriate that his name lives on with this cup, which is competed for by clubs at the pinnacle of Middlesex youth football.

The Senior Youth Cup was first played for in season 2000-01, when it was won by Edgware Town. This season’s finalists were the previous 2 sides to win the competition. Cockfosters overcame Uxbridge 3-0 last season, while Bedfont Sports were 4-0 winners against AFC Hayes in 2022.   

12 teams entered the competition this season.

Bedfont Sports had to negotiate two penalty shoot-outs on their route to the final. Their round one home match against PFC Victoria Youth finished 2-2 before Sports won the shoot-out 4-2. They then beat Hampton and Richmond Borough by a single goal in the quarter final before finishing 1-1, after 90 minutes, at Northwood in the semi-final. They won that shoot-out 5-3.

Cockfosters reached the final without conceding a goal, for the second consecutive season. They beat Rayners Lane 2-0 (away), Hayes & Yeading United 4-0 (at home) and Harrow Borough 3-0 (at home).  

The spectators were treated to a very competitive game, in which the respective defences were dominant during the first half and for much of the second. However, as the match reached a climax, chances became increasingly frequent. The opening goal, scored by Bedfont Sports, arrived in the 74th minute. Cockfosters equalised in the 81st minute but they missed twice in the penalty shoot-out, which Sports won 4-2.

The opening stages were evenly contested and although both sides played good passing football in midfield, they made little impression on the opposing defences and there was little goalmouth action. Bedfont Sports put a couple of long freekicks into the Cockfosters penalty box but they were comfortably dealt with.

In the 25th minute, a freekick was awarded for a push on Cockfosters’ Uriel Tyrell, 30 yards out. Mikey Omirou took the kick and Owen Cooper headed it over the crossbar. Then Owen’s long ball into the Sports’ box was headed away.

Another freekick found a well-placed Ike Tobenna, in the Sports’ penalty area but he didn’t control the ball, which ran out of play. Keris Lukizalamo’s low shot from around 25 yards went past the far post and Uriel Tyrell’s ball across goal didn’t attract a touch.

At the other end, Jude Jakes McKay shot just over the Cockfosters’ bar. 

Half time score: Bedfont Sports 0 Cockfosters 0

Uriel Tyrell’s close-range shot was blocked, at the expense of a corner.

Bedfont Sports had a scoring opportunity, following a breakaway, which gave them a 2 on 1 advantage but Emon Masoudi shot into the side netting.

At this stage of the match, the majority of the attacks by both sides were coming from free-kicks into the opponent’s penalty areas. Mikey Omirou’s kick was headed out by a Sports’ defender. Sports’ Joe Sandell found Jude Jakes McKay, who was foiled by keeper, Archie Tocher. 

Archie then took Keiran Collins’ high kick from wide on the right. Emon Masoudi headed over the Cockfosters’ bar from Joe Sandell’s freekick from a central position, 30 yards out.

Sports’ Jake Beck-Nardoni blasted over the bar, from just inside the penalty box.

Cockfosters’ Ike Tobenna had a good scoring opportunity, when Uriel Tyrell’s cross rebounded to him but his shot was too high. 

Dan Mackinney made a threatening run but he was dispossessed by the weight of Cockfosters’ defensive numbers.

Bedfont Sports took the lead in the 74th minute, through Jude Jakes McKay, following good approach work by Keiran Collins and Jake Beck-Nardoni.

A freekick from the left of the box was headed narrowly over the Bedfont Sports’ crossbar by Conor Fennelly.

Cockfosters substitute Kye Eren equalised in the 81st minute, by diverting home a low cross from the left.

Archie Gower headed a long freekick from the right over the Cockfosters bar. Archie Tocher saved low down from Jake Beck-Nardoni.

Substitute Macca Sones’ low shot was saved by Sport’s keeper, Marvin Wood.

Score after 90 minutes: Bedfont Sports 1 Cockfosters 1

Only 8 kicks were required to settle the penalty shoot-out.

Bedfont Sports went first.

The first pair of penalty takers, Jack Nash and Owen Cooper were successful.

Dan Mackinney converted Sports’ second kick but Cockfosters’ Ellis Day hit his kick over the crossbar.

Both of the third pair of kickers, Archie Gower and Thomas Jennings scored.

Jude Jakes McKay went 4th for Sports and scored but Kye Eren had the misfortune to become the 2nd Cockfosters’ penalty taker to clear the crossbar.

Penalty shoot-out score: Bedfont Sports 4 Cockfosters 2

The referee Richard and his support team controlled the match very well.   

The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Chairman, John Taylor was introduced to the teams and match officials before the game and he presented the cup and mementoes afterwards. He chose Cockfosters’ forward, Uriel Tyrell as Player of the Match.

Our thanks are given to Bedfont Sports for allowing us the use of their fine facilities and for their splendid hospitality on the night.

The attendance was 400.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Bedfont Sports: Marvin Woods. Jake Hewitt, Keiran Collins, Joe Sandell, Niall O’Shea (capt), Archie Gower, Emon Masoudi (Jack Nash 63 mins), Dan Mackinney, Jake Beck-Nardoni, Oscar Kruczieciwicz and Jude Jakes McKay.

Unused Substitutes: Joe Wells, Aryan Soni, Alex Basauder and Wiktor Genow.

Manager: Mark Fabian   Assistant Manager: Martin Spong

Cockfosters: Archie Tocher, Egan Ntege, Junior Moses (Devonte Kitsaboka 92), Conor Fennelly, Ellis Day, Uriel Tyrell, Mikey Omirou (capt), Ike Tobenna (Thomas Jennings 80), Owen Cooper, Keris Lukizalamo (Kye Eren 76) and Kacper Jabluszewski (Macca Sones 96).

Unused Substitute: Arthur Holt.

Manager: Vas Chiotis   Coaches: Jason Hobbs and Omi Omirou,

Referee: Richard Coker   Assistant Referees: Timothy Guichard and Simon Smith   Fourth Official: Mitchell Payne.

Report: Jim Taylor

PICKS 

FULL SET