PARKS (YOUTH) WIN U12 CUP
The finals of the Middlesex FA Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 Cups were all contested at Rectory Park on Sunday, 8th May. We started with the Dudley G Harper Under 12 Cup final between Parks (Youth) and APB Barnet Rams.
This Cup was first played for during the 1975-76 season and was won by Discus FC. Because of the pandemic, this is the first final to be played since 2019.
63 teams entered this season’s competition.
Parks (Youth) currently compete in the Premier Division of the North London Youth League and APB Barnet Rams play in the Watford Friendly League.
Parks started their progress to the final by defeating Harrow St Marys Youth 8-0 away in round 1. After that they were drawn at home in every round. They beat Maccabi London Whites 5-1 in round 2, Parkfield Youth Red 1-0 in round 3, Ruislip Rangers Red 2-0 in the quarter-final and Ickenham Youth Lions 3-0 in the semi-final.
APB Barnet Rams beat Banet Azzurri 13-0 at home in round 1, Maccabi London Reds 4-1 away in round 2, ProFootball London White 7-1 away in round 3 and Whetstone Wanderers Youth Lions 10-1 in the quarter-final. They had a walkover against Parkfield Youth in the semi-final.
Matches in this competition are 9 a side and played over 30 minutes each half.
We were more fortunate than the previous day, when we had heavy rain throughout the opening match. We had a beautiful spring morning. We were also fortunate regarding the quality of this match. It was evenly contested, full of action and very entertaining. It was all square at 1-1 at the interval and was then settled in favour of Parks by a superb individual goal.
Reuben Carr, the Parks winger, tested keeper, Josh Cauldwell with a shot from the left in the opening minute. Then, at the other end, Barnet captain Hubert Zalucki went close with a header from a corner.
Parks centre back, Kelyan Ble went up-field for a corner but headed wide.
Hubert Zalucki was brought down just outside the Parks penalty area. Jack Sullivan took the free kick, which Parks keeper, Ishan Makwana took high up.
Barnet went ahead in the 14th minute. Benjamin Liverpool of Parks handled a shot in his penalty box and Hubert Zalucki hit the resulting spot kick into the area, in the middle of the goal, that the diving keeper had vacated.
Jack Sullivan’s free kick from just outside the box was knocked down by the Parks keeper. Then Dino Obiefule cleared the Parks cross-bar with a long drive.
Benjamin Liverpool put Reuben Carr through but Josh Cauldwell saved at his feet.
Parks equalised in the 26th minute. John Liverpool played a wall pass to a team-mate, picked up the return and netted.
Score at half time: Parks (Youth) 1 APB Barnet Rams 1
Josh Cauldwell handed over the Barnet keeper’s gloves to Lewis Courtnage for the second half and played in the attack.
John Liverpool won the ball for Parks, made a penetrating run and fired wide. Then Reuben Carr burst through and was intercepted at the expense of a corner.
Barnet’s Ellie Beels set up Rafi Swan but keeper Ishaan Makwana dived to save his shot. A good Barnet move involving Ellie, Jack Sullivan and Josh Cauldwell was successfully defended.
Parks stepped up the pressure. A great shot from John Liverpool was countered by an equally great save by Lewis Courtnage. Reuben Carr made a good run and crossed for Arca Saydag, whose shot was blocked.
In the 51st minute, John Liverpool weaved his way into a good position and finished with a drive from the edge of the box, to put his side 2-1 up
A long free kick from Jack Sullivan cleared the Parks’ bar.
Parks resumed the attack. Reuben Carr collected a through ball from Arca Saydag and drove past the far post. Dontae D’Paw shot over the bar, under pressure.
Ishaan Makwana, in the Parks goal, was again called into action. He punched away a dangerous corner, taken by Jack Sullivan and then caught a lofted drive. He then dealt with another Jack Sullivan corner.
Both sides had further chances. Dontae D’Paw hit a free kick for Parks across goal. Reuben Carr was thwarted by some brave goalkeeping by Lewis Courtnage. Arca Saydag shot wide from long range.
Barnet’s Frankie Corroll’s shot was charged down and the goalkeeper saved from Jenson Cook.
However, no more goals were scored.
Final score: Parks (Youth) 2 APB Barnet Rams 1
Referee Kacper Ignatiuk handled the game impressively. His young team of officials supported him well and should all be pleased with their performances. They all look to have a bright future in refereeing.
Our Guest of Honour was Barry Maddox, Head of Marketing at Football Flick, who are kindly supporting our Youth Cup finals. Barry was presented to the teams and match officials before the game and presented the cup and individual mementoes afterwards. He chose Parks winger, John Liverpool as Player of the Match.
The attendance was 109.
Parks (Youth): Ishaan Makwana, Nathan Odamitten (capt), Jayden Rattray, Benjamin Liverpool, John Liverpool, Kelyan Ble, Reuben Carr, Arca Saydag and Selvin Hurril.
Rolling substitutes: Louis Gregoriou, Olly Earl, Dontae D’Paw, Trevaughn Meade and Can Dervish.
Manager: George Batsa Coach: Jaydon Hunte.
APB Barnet Rams: Josh Cauldwell, Aaron Coppola, David Agavriloaei, Dino Obiefule, Dylan O’Neill, Frankie Corroll, Hubert Zalucki (capt), Jack Sullivan, Jenson Cook
Rolling substitutes: Lewis Courtnage (took over as goalkeeper for second half), Amarae Adefila, Ellie Beels, Rafi Swan and Rudy Bean.
Manager: John Sullivan
Referee: Kacper Ignatiuk Assistant Referees: Alisha Hartland-Sandiford and Kaizad Kapadia Fourth Official: Luca Van Darp.
Thanks to Chris & Jim who came out to support us on a second day of Finals, as ever they have chosen their favourite shots from the match, alongside this Chris has kindly provided a full album of imagery.
