BROADWATER UNITED COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN THE RICHARD STILES U13 TROPHY
The finals of the Middlesex FA Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 Trophies were contested on Sunday, 21st May at Rectory Park. These competitions were introduced to provide an extra level, with an increased chance of success, for the boys’ teams of Middlesex affiliated clubs, playing in the lower divisions of their leagues. This is the second season that these finals have been held. Although the three competitions commenced in season 2020-21, only one round could be played that season, before the arrival of the covid pandemic.
Our second match of a busy day was the final of the Richard Stiles U13 Trophy between Broadwater United and Northwood Youth White.
Broadwater United play in the North London Youth League and this season they finished 4th in the Premier Division. Northwood Youth White are members of the Watford Friendly League and won this season’s Green Division by a margin of 7 points.
56 teams entered this season’s competition.
The progress to the final, of both of the teams, was spectacular.
In round 1 Broadwater United beat London Athletic Green 16-0 at home while Northwood White recorded a 10-5 away victory at Harrow St Mary’s Youth White.
Both teams were drawn away in round 2 but the goals continued to flow. Broadwater won 7-0 at Larkspur Rovers Youth Red and Northwood overcame London Athletic Blue 12-0.
Broadwater beat Old Actonians Youth Red 14-1 at home in the 3rd round and Northwood won 7-0 away to FPF Red.
In the quarter finals, Broadwater required a penalty shoot-out to get past Hillingdon Abbots, after a 3-3 home draw. Northwood, also at home, overcame Football Samurai Red 13-2.
Both sides had home semi-finals, which were both won 3-2. Broadwater against Spelthorne Sports Youth Navy and Northwood against Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth.
Unsurprisingly, in view of the contestants’ records in this season’s competition, there were plenty of goals in the final. It was very entertaining match, in which both teams were ahead twice. The goals came in three bursts, before Broadwater United emerged as 4-3 winners.
Matches in this competition are played over 35 minutes in each half.
Northwood went ahead in the 7th minute through Tiago Conde de Almeida, who netted after a goalmouth melee.
Broadwater equalised within a minute, through Elijah Fernandes, who had two shots parried in another goalmouth melee, before he hit the ball home.
Almost immediately, to complete a sequence of 3 goals inside 3 minutes, Tiago netted again from close range, to put Northwood back ahead.
There were no more goals in the first half. However, Broadwater made several openings. Northwood keeper, Alfie Davis saved a long shot by Franson Agudelo and a long range freekick from Temitope Olakisan. He then saved 2 efforts by Ajlan Midzan.
Broadwater keeper, Daniel Sargent, made a good high save from Marek Myszozynski’s freekick.
Broadwater had a freekick on the penalty D , which Ajlan took but which Alfie saved.
Just before the interval, Alfie pushed a low shot from Franson onto his post.
Half-time score: Broadwater United 1 Northwood Youth White 2
There was another burst of goalscoring soon after the interval. In the 39th minute, Rafael Morais Dos Santos drove in an equaliser for Broadwater and within 2 minutes Franson Agudelo put them ahead, for the first time in the match.
Broadwater then had opportunities to increase their lead. Ajlan’s long shot was pushed out by the keeper. Franson finished a good run with a cross-shot, which Alfie saved. Then Franson shot over from an acute angle.
A freekick, taken wide on the right by Northwood’s Charlie Roberts found Nicolas Jensen, whose shot was blocked.
Tiago Conde de Almeido made a run through the Broadwater defence and equalised for Northwood in the 65th minute.
However, within a minute, with a penalty shoot-out looming, Franson Agudelo hit the ball high into the net from the edge of the box, to win the game for Broadwater United.
Final score: Broadwater United 4 Northwood Youth White 3
Our thanks are due to both teams for an exciting, if somewhat unusual, final. Congratulations to Broadwater, on their victory and condolences to Northwood, who contributed hugely to the entertainment. The third team on the field also made a significant contribution. Referee Mark Brookes had a very good game, well supported by his colleagues.
We were delighted to welcome, as Guest of Honour, Jan Stiles, the wife of Richard Stiles. Richard, who also attended the game with several other members of their family, was a tireless worker for youth football and a Vice President of the Youth Association.
Jan was introduced to the teams and match officials before the match and presented the Trophy and mementoes afterwards. She chose Northwood striker, Tiago Conde de Almedia as the Player of the Match. She also presented Tiago with a match ball, signed by President John Davies, to commemorate his hattrick.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Broadwater United: Daniel Sargent, Mohamed Sesay, Yahya Islam, Elijah Fernandes, Elijah Anthony, Hansen Grant, Jamal Aremu, Rafael Morais Dos Santos, Temitope Olakisan (capt), Franson Agudelo and Shyeim Graham.
Rolling substitutes: Nicholas Branco, Ibrahim Choudhury, Dacarai Mptema, Sonny Dignan and Ajlan Midzan.
Manager: Clasford Stirling MBE Coaches: Jude Stirling and Leon Russell.
Northwood Youth White: Alfie Davis, Billy-Ray Ralph, Charlie Smith, Jay Hunjan, Charlie Roberts, Marek Myszozynski, Daniel Atkins, Shahzaib Ahmad, Tiago Conde de Almedia, Eneas Katseli and Rahul Radia (capt).
Rolling substitutes; Jack Kentish, Ryan Hards, Kacper Zwierzynski and Nicolas Jensen.
Manager: Richard Elderfield Coach: Steve Davis.
Referee: Mark Brookes Assistant Referees: Luke Hinchcliffe and Kacper Ignatiuk Fourth Official: Timothy Guichard.
Attendance: 90
We thank Chris & Jim for covering the match, as ever they have selected their favourites shots from the match, some of which have been included in the report. Chris has also very kindly provided a full album of imagery from the match.
Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn
Photography - Chris Benn