STFC U13’S DIVISION 4 CHAMPIONS 2009
Stockton Town FC 3-1 St. Francis 2000 B
Stockton Town FC under 13’s hosted second place St. Francis in the top of the table clash and championship decider.
From the kick-off this fixture lived up to all expectations with both heavy weights of the 4th division trading blows from the start. Stockton started sluggish with St. Francis being the stronger and dominating the possession in the first 10 minutes.
St. Francis Donnelly and Dodd linked up well to provide the first chance with a powerful shot hitting the post and luckily falling nicely for Dwayne Ward to clear the danger.
With Stockton under immense pressure from St. Francis, Stockton’s goalkeeper Cameron Grove kept his side in the game with outstanding saves. Stockton’s luck finally ran out with Clint Dodd latching onto a wonderful cross from Donnelly to punish Stockton with the perfect finish lobbing the on rushing Stockton keeper (0-1).
Stockton’s Captain Reece Cowley shouted a few Inspiring words and this encouraged Stockton to start playing the kind of football their supporters have been used to. Less than five minutes after the restart, Stockton’s Jack Davies powerful shot from 30 yards hit the cross bar. Both teams were now playing the type of football that had put them is the 1st and 2nd positions in the league.
After a slow start , Stockton were now starting to attack, stretching St. Francis with some good one touch passing, this made their defence work extremely hard. The pressure finally paid off when Josh Haley made an excellent diagonal run across the box and smashed the ball into the back of the net with ease (1-1).
Stockton now full of confidence and with the bit between their teeth pushed forward at every opportunity, with both Callum Carberry and Kyle Ucarer causing no end of problems for St. Francis’s defense.
Good passing and movement into the danger area resulted in further opportunities for Jordan Lindsay and Josh Haley. Stockton now playing some excellent football extended their lead when Callum Carberry’s shot powered into the roof of the net from 20 yards, after some delightful build up play from central midfield players Reece Clamp and Jack Davies (HT 2-1).
Stockton started the second period full of belief, and was putting St. Francis’s defence under consistent pressure. Stockton were now producing opportunity after opportunity. Frustration from not scoring a third goal made Stockton switch off giving St. Francis the confidence to get back into the game, St. Francis’s long ball tactics played to Stockton’s strengths with Michael Stokes and Jacob Dennis clearing all danger with ease.
The pressure from St. Francis continued with Stockton’s strong defensive team play averting all danger. With less than 15 minutes to go Stockton’s dominant midfield quartet took control of the game producing numerous opportunities to finish the game.
Finally Stockton’s class paid-off when Jordan Lindsay’s cross was met by Callum Carberry to power his shot home from an impossible angle (3-1), dominant Stockton made a substitution goal hero; Haley made way for Jake Blyth. Both teams full of running continued to attack and with passion showing the quality of both squads.
St. Francis tried to get into the game but Stockton proved too strong, with Ward and Stokes putting in some great tackles in to avert any danger (FT 3-1).
Man of the match: The Team.
Team: Cameron Grove, Reece Cowley, Michael Stokes, Dwayne Ward, Jacob Dennis, Jordan Lindsay, Callum Carberry, Reece Clamp, Jack Davies, Kyle Ucarer, Josh Haley, Jake Blyth and Matthew Howells