Colts clinch U14s cup (From Penarth Times)

Colts clinch U14s cup

JENNER Park was the scene of great excitement and celebration when Sully Colts U14s beat Cadoxton Imps 3-1 in the U14 cup final.

Although Sully entered the game as slight favourites, they knew that with the atrocious weather conditions and Caddy coming off the back of a fine win against Llantwit Major the previous week, they would have to be at their very best to lift the cup for a second time.

The game started with both teams eager to get the ball forward. Sully settled the quicker and a fine through ball from Peter Fordham to his centre midfield partner Haidn Dibble nearly resulted in the opener.

On the ten minute mark, a neat exchange of passes between Fordham and Dibble put wide man Matthew Green into space and he delivered the perfect cross, only for striker Rhys Howells to see his first time shot go agonisingly over.

Within minutes, Tim Dunne was put through and this time Sully were denied by a superb finger tip save from keeper Liam Sadler.

Although Caddy had not created any real chances they were competing all over the pitch and Sully were not having it all their own way, with Ashley McCarthy in particular having a fine game in centre midfield.

The Colts' breakthrough eventually came after 20 minutes, when Howells' clever flick put Dunne in on goal and he slotted home.

Caddy responded well and Max Wootton, Lee Shipcatt and Rob Gill at the heart of the Sully defence had to be at their best to deny Caddy any strikes on goal. With the first half drawing to a close, it was evident that with a swirling wind and driving rain this was not a match where Sully could play their normal passing game and they would need to battle all the way to defeat a very determined Imps.

Sully started the second half in impressive form and it was clear that they were now trying to keep the passes shorter from the back and to allow the midfield a bit more time and space on the ball.

This tactic had immediate success and they should have doubled their lead when Dunne beat the advancing Sadler out wide and pulled the ball back with an open goal beckoning. Somehow another chance was squandered and it came as no surprise that Caddy were now growing in confidence.

Although Lewis May in the Sully goal had not had to make a save of note, Caddy had seen plenty of the ball and it was only a matter of time before they got the chance they were after.

When a reckless challenge in the box resulted in a Caddy penalty, it looked odds-on that the Imps would equalise - May in goal had other ideas and pulled off a superb save low down on his right.

This was probably the turning point in the game as within minutes Shaun Jachontow and Nat Taylor-Moore combined well in their own half, before Fordham found Dunne's channel run for the striker to extend Sully's lead with a clinical finish.

In truth Colts should have gone on and won comfortably from here as Sam Wooster, Green, Fordham and Dibble all had efforts that went close.

To Caddy's great credit, they continued to press forward and striker Andrew Mchinley was looking dangerous every time he received the ball.

Caddy deservedly pulled one back when a rare defensive mistake gifted them the softest of tap-ins.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, Gill and Wootton again broke down a Caddy attack and the ball was played to Nathan Whitehead just inside his own half.

A good ball out to Dunne resulted in the striker finding Dibble's superb run which took him past the last defender before he smashed home from the best move of the game.

Caddy's spirit and attitude saw them finish the game the stronger and it was only a fantastic save from May that prevented an agonising last few minutes for the Sully supporters.

At the final whistle, it was great to see both teams warmly congratulate each other and it was clear to see the respect they had for each other.

Although the weather conditions prevented both teams from demonstrating their true ability, the Sully coaches were delighted that the Colts had the belief and determination to grind out a result.

Sully Colts would like to thank the match officials, Keith Bull, Rhys Williams and Lloyd Griffiths who made the game so enjoyable and Tony Williams and Trish Burgess, who braved the weather to present the cup and commemorative medals on behalf of the VoGAFL.