SUFC U14 v Wolves U14 at the Brandywell home of Derry City all purpose pitch and plenty of space to play football. This the big one, the majority of this team won the U13 Foyle Cup last year so I'm sure they want their name on the U14 roll of honour.
Four of the Wolves were man mountains a good head taller than our biggest player Dickinson, probably a diet of Staffordshire Oatcakes, Faggots and tasty Balti's.
Conceded a corner straight away, not a wise decision with the Wolves height advantage, but Flax the keeper claimed it and took the pressure off. Another corner conceded again Flax grabbed it spilled it but reclaimed it at the 2nd attempt phew. Blades growing into it Samby nicked the ball off the fullback fed the ball into Clarke who had a look and whacked the ball into the top left corner of the net a cracking score and well appreciated by a decent crowd, 1-0. The Wolves number was causing problems for our back linking well with the number 11, free kick conceded by Utd, neat flick by 9 but keeper guessed right and smothered it, Samby was causing problems down the right, turned inside to Alex who swivels and knocks it just over the bar. Wolves broke a speed number 11, Waldron jockeyed him wide not diving in, laid back shot headed off line fell to 9 who thankfully blazed it over the bar. Fantastic game end to end and some great skill from both sets of player, Wolves 9 was giving Waldron a serious test but he continued to stick at it. Blades next ball played to Chappie to Alex slipped inside to Marley who found the right hand corner to give Utd a valuable 2-0 lead coming up to the break. Wolves broke through midfield and the 9,11 combination of Wolves played a sublime 1/2 past our centre backs and scored 2-1 game on, whistle blew seconds later for halftime.
Wolves started the stronger obviously elated by the goal before the break, Wolves free kick on right fisted away by Flax. Ashton on for Samby, probably to tighten it up a bit, but Wolves created a similar move to their first goal, cutting through our centre defence with 11 curling a shot into the right side of our 2-2 game certainly on now. Utd came back strongly again Clarke at the centre of it, chipped ball to far stick pushed inside by Lucian but Alex had just strayed offside. Clarke again first to ball, early shot found Wolves off balance but he managed to get a hand on it to deflect it past the post. Both going for the winner , corner Wolves good fist by Utd keeper, Ashton had free kick pushed away by Wolves keeper, recycled ball found us offside. Wolves now another shot saved by keeper, corner cleared by Clarke coming back to help out. Two really good sides trading punches now to avoid penalties , Wolves attack Samby headed clear all hands to the pumps, Utd had the final attack swift break finishing with a shot and save and that's the end of the game penalties now.
Blades keeper Flax Utd to take first penalty.
Dickenson (captain) scores good pen Wolves 11 saved by Flax
Lucian blazes over bar Wolves16 scores
Ashton is U13 scores cool pen Wolves 4 saved by Flax
Waldron scores in corner no saving that Wolves 6 scored
Chappie scores nerves of steel and sends the team into celebration mode SUFC Foyle Cup U14 champions.
Fantastic game of football which both teams contributed to and the large crowd thoroughly enjoyed. Some great skill and work rate on show, good goals and the added excitement of a penalty shootout what more do you want. Been a great tournament three teams reached their respective age group Foyle Cup playoffs and we had a Cup winner promising. That's it then for another year, next week I can just be a spectator at the Milk Cup.
Also a big thank you to the families of the players and the coaching staff who provided me with names of the players to help me write these reports and finally a safe journey home for players, family and SUFC staff hopefully we can do it all again next year.
