On Saturday 2nd May, our U15 Greens team had the pleasure of playing against Molesey Juniors U15 Sharks in the Epsom and Ewell Youth League Chairman’s Cup Final, at South Park Reigate FC.

With the Greens finishing a respectable 3rd in their division this season, and Molesey Juniors in second place, this was always going to be a tight fixture with previous league meets including a 3-3 draw and a 2-3 loss. However, having dumped out the league champions (Coulsdon) much earlier in the cup, the Greens knew they had a good chance of taking home the silverware.

Molesey dominated the first 30 minutes of the match, taking several shots on goal and forcing several saves by the Greens’ stand in keeper Ali. The Greens have been keeperless since December, the task of wearing the gloves each week has been rotated amongst a few out-field players! Given a preference for playing up front, Ali did a sterling job throughout this cup final.

On 31 minutes, and completely against the run of play, Dorkinians won a corner which was floated into the box by number 11, Ellis. The Greens’ top scorer Cass, already on a tally of 28 goals for the season, seized upon the opportunity to control the ball in the air and blast it into the right-hand side of the goal, straight past the Molesey defenders and keeper. Thereafter play evened up for the remaining ten minutes of the first half and Dorkinians went in at half time one goal up.

Molesey opened the second half with some high-pressure football that saw them rewarded with an equaliser on 47 minutes, taking the game to 1-1. The game hung in the balance for thirteen more minutes before a free kick was given to Dorkinians just inside the opposition’s halfway line. Zac stepped up to take the kick from the middle of the pitch, his reliable big boot cleverly lofting the ball into the box for Cass to once again put into the back of the Molesey net. 2-1 Dorkinians.

On 73 minutes another Dorkinians corner by Ellis was headed out of the box by a Molesey defender only for the Greens’ Josh to volley it into the right side of the goal with his left foot. A real beauty of a goal. 3-1 Dorkinians and much excitement amongst players and parents alike.

Within one minute of conceding, Molesey quickly put together a clever set of passes from the restart that resulted in a goal at the other end, taking the match to 3-2. Without a full-time goalkeeper, the remaining 10 minutes of the match were somewhat nervy for Dorkinians supporters, a third Molesey goals would have taken the match to penalties and given Molesey the advantage of having a permanent keeper.

The Dorkinians boys continued to play pressing football to try and grab a fourth goal, a somewhat risky strategy when they could have maintained possession into corners to count the clock down – but that’s not the boys’ style. Finally, the whistle went for full-time and the celebrations began.

By Matt Peskett

Posted R Swain. Apologies for the late posting.