Under 11 Cup Success
17 Apr 2007
Foresters U11a win a thrilling cup final!
If sport was logical, the best teams would always win matches and the scores predictable. The fact that it is not is the making of many a bookmaker and pools agent!
On Sunday 15th, U11 form side, Tunbridge Wells Foresters, met Horsham YMCA at the Ringmer Stadium, in the final of the Crowborough & District Junior Football League knock-out cup. As the form guide suggested, the best side did win - but with over 70% of the possession, most of shots on goal and vastly more adventurous approach, the final 1 - 0 score was testament more to the passion and drive of the Tunbridge Wells side, typified no more than by man-of-the-match Ollie Muggeridge who toiled away on a sweltering Sunday morning controlling the right-hand side of midfield with guile and determination.
Asked to pay down-hill in the first half, Foresters limited Horsham YMCA to a single genuine attempt on goal which keeper Jorge Ehren collected comfortably having closed down their pacey striker. Foresters produced wave after wave of attacking football but were restricted to long-range efforts by Muggeridge, Christian Rutherford and Dan McCarthy. A neat headed flick by Mike Dowrick, from a powerful Will Edwards cross-cum-shot was probably the closest either side came to a goal in the first half.
The second half started much as the first had ended, a McCarthy free kick being cleared off the line and a Rutherford speculative shot setting the scene. Strong wing play by Henry Martin and Ben Barham taunted the Horsham YMCA defence - but all to no avail. Try as they may Foresters could not find that elusive goal.
That the save of the match, and probably the season, was made by the Forester keeper, was an indication of the fragility of the situation. A Horsham YMCA long ball evaded the Foresters defence and an attempted lob was saved, only by an incredible Banks-esque double-save requiring the keeper to stretch both upwards and backwards. The ball being finally cleared by right-back Shashi Lallu, who drew special mention from the match adjudicator.
With 5 minutes of normal time remaining Horsham hearts were broken. A Horsham corner was quickly returned to open play and a multi-person move started by influential mid-fielder Tom Cameron ended at the feet of Muggeridge who squeezed the ball under the Horsham keeper.
An unexplained 6 minutes of added time same attacking play from both sides, although the solid Foresters defence of Charlie Early, George Chambers and Harry Brooks-Kent held firm. Not surprisingly the final whistle sounded with Foresters cleverly keeping the ball at the Horsham end of the pitch.
The Under 11 cup returns to Tunbridge Wells after a 3 year absence and although the score suggests otherwise, the quality and playing style of the impressive Foresters team was evident.
With just 7 matches remaining, Foresters sits clearly at the top of the CDJFL A league.
Foresters are planning a new player trial in early June for the following season. Any interest should be directed to secretary@forestersfc.com.