Stockton Town U18’s clinched the JPL Cup, again coming from behind to beat Bottesford Town 4-2 in Doncaster.
Joe Kennedy, Jaedon Faulkner, Jack Spears and an own goal helped the young Anchors to history at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Stockton nearly had the lead within the opening minute of play, when Michael Smith played a wonderful low cross into the path of Jack Spears, whose fancy flick just trickled past the wrong side of the post.
Billy Waller followed with a big chance, volleying an effort inside the box wide.
11 minutes in, Bottesford should’ve opened the scoring, when a loose ball fell to an open man at the back post, but somehow the forward fired wide.
22 minutes in though, Bottesford did find the lead after forcing a ball home.
But the Young Anchors responded very well, and didn’t take long to level the game back up, when Joe Kennedy drove into space on the right wing, before firing a strike into the far bottom corner on the half an hour mark.
Thomas Birtles kept the scores level just before the break with a heroic goal-line clearance, denying a strike that had gotten the better of Tyler Smith.
Half-time: Stockton Town 1-1 Bottesford Town
Nine minutes after a positive restart from Paddy Davis’ side, Stockton found the lead, when Joe Kennedy’s cross was lofted into the roof of the net by a Bottesford defender.
Chuka Unigwe then went close as the Anchors started to dominate, he took on three defenders at the byline before trying to sneak a shot past the goalkeeper, but his effort was met by an incredible save by the shotstoppers trailing leg.
Jaedon Faulkner did find a third for the Anchors, heading home a wonderful corner from Jack Spears after 67 minutes, giving Stockton some breathing space.
The provider, and eventual Man of the Match, Jack Spears then found the target himself, as he found space inside the box and powered into the net to give the Young Anchors a 4-1 lead.
Bottesford did pull a goal back in added time, but that only delayed the Anchors’ celebrations, as Paddy Davis’ side completed the league and cup double in front of a healthy support!
Full-time: Stockton Town 4-2 Bottesford Town
Next weekend sees the seemingly unstoppable under-18 side travel to Warwickshire to compete in the National Cup competition, as they look to complete the treble!
Words: Jordan Clarke
Photo: Harry Cook
