CRE8TIVE FOOTBALL WIN U14 CUP
The final of the Middlesex JN Smith Under 14 Cup, between Edgware & Kingsbury and Cre8tive Football, was played on Sunday, 12th May at Rectory Park.
The Middlesex Under 14 Youth Cup was first competed for in the 1969-70 season, when it was won by Heston CA.
The holders of this cup were Ickenham Youth United, who beat Edgware & Kingsbury 3-0 in last season’s final at Rectory Park. All of the goals in that game were scored in the second half.
62 teams entered this season’s competition.
Edgware & Kingsbury play in the Eastern Junior Alliance and Cre8tive Football are members of the Sunday Football League – London.
Edgware & Kingsbury U14 team were contesting this final for the second consecutive season. They reached this season’s final by winning a series of very tight matches. They beat Elite London Red 3-2 at home in round 1, Colney Heath 1-0 at home in round 2, Harefield United 4-3 away in round 3, Bedfont Eagles 5-3 away in the quarter-final and Enfield Borough (Youth) 1-0 at home in the semi-final.
Cre8tive Football’s path to this season’s final was much more straightforward. They were drawn at home in every round and did not concede any goals. They beat SSW 10-0 in round 1, received a walk-over against 360 Talent Football Club Elite in round 2, and then beat NPL Youth Atoms 10-0 in round 3, Edmonton Rangers Falcons 8-0 in the quarter-final and Parks (Youth) 4-0 in the semi-final.
The duration of the matches in this competition is 35 minutes each half. Rolling substitutions are used.
The President of the Middlesex FA, John Davies was introduced to the teams and match officials before the kick off.
The teams produced a closely fought and interesting final. The first half was goalless. Cre8tive Football went ahead 4 minutes after the interval. Edgware & Kingsbury equalised in the 22nd minute of the second half but Cre8tive Football snatched victory with just 2 minutes of normal time remaining.
The game had a very tentative start as the teams assessed each other.
Emmanuel Hope Ziro burst through the centre for Cre8tive Football but he took one touch too many, which enabled goalkeeper, Bailey Swead to gather the ball.
Cre8tive keeper, Hamza Jamaleddin pushed Josh Gutman’s diving header from Jacob Benjamin’s cross for a corner.
Emmanuel was tripped, while going at full tilt 30 yards from goal, by Edgware’s Oscar Levene, who was cautioned. The resulting freekick, taken by Yacov Boryslavskiy, was turned around the upright by Bailey.
Oscar Levene’s freekick, from around 45 yards, was comfortably taken by Hamza.
An incisive run by Emmanuel ended with Bailey saving with his feet.
Hamza saved Josh Socker’s low cross-shot and then Jacob Benjamin’s drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Emmanuel was brought down outside the Edgware & Kingsbury box. Bailey saved the resulting freekick low down.
Josh Socker took Josh Lee’s pass on and tested Hamza with a drive.
Half-time score: Edgware & Kingsbury 0 Cre8tive Football 0
The ball continued to move rapidly from end to end. Both goalkeepers were called upon to deal with low crosses in the first minute of the half.
Cre8tive went ahead 4 minutes after the interval. Yacov cut in and was tripped just outside the Edgware & Kingsbury box. Ruben Michaud took the freekick, which led to several more shots before Emmanuel netted.
Edgware hit back and Josh Socker fired too high. Raf Jacobs’ long shot was acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by Hamza, who then caught the subsequent corner.
Edgware equalised in the 22nd minute of the half, through the ever-dangerous Josh Socker, who blasted the ball from Oluwani Jaiyeola’s low cross.
Oskar Kosacki released Yacov but Bailey saved with his feet from close range.
Yacov passed to Emmanuel, who netted via the crossbar with 2 minutes of the 70 remaining.
Just before the final whistle, Jacov won the ball and cut in along the goalline but he was thwarted by Bailey.
Final score: Edgware & Kingsbury 1 Cre8tive Football 2
Referee Prince-Zakkai Small had an excellent match. He was very assured throughout and his speed and fitness were impressive. He was well supported by his colleagues.
The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Honorary Member, Robin Machell, presented the Cup and individual mementoes at the conclusion of the game. He chose Cre8tive’s dynamic Emmanuel Hope Ziro as Player of the Match.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Edgware & Kingsbury: Bailey Swead, Josh Lee, James Philip, Rupert Latner, Josh Socker, Harry Waller, Oscar Levene, Harry Bayfield, Rex Zekaria (captain), Luke Kuelsheimer and Alfie Heslam.
Rolling substitutes: Raf Jacobs, Josh Gutman, Jacob Benjamin, Easa Dawreeawoo and Oluwani Jaiyeola.
Manager: Michael Jacobs
Coach: Richard Baum.
Cre8tive Football: Hamza Jamaleddin, Zain Danial, Teodor Metso (captain), Azaan Saraf, Khaylen Morgan, Yacov Boryslavskiy, Louie Fishwick, Alexander Pollock, Emmanuel Hope Ziro, Frankie O’Brien and Malik Taitt.
Rolling substitutes: Haroun Armah, Henry Mulindwa, Ruben Michaud, Musamil Saleh and Oskar Kosacki.
Manager: Aaron Samuel
Coaches: Martini Morgan-Germain and William Rice-Quaidoo.
Referee: Prince-Zakkai Small Assistant Referees: Brandon Perry and Keith Williams Fourth Official: David Woodall.
Report: Jim Taylor
Photography: Chris Benn