TOTAL FOOTBALL WIN 13 CUP IN PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
The finals of the Middlesex FA Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14 Cups were all contested at Rectory Park on Sunday, 8th May. Our second match was the Sam Dunn Under 13 Cup final between Total Futbol Red and Northwood Youth Black.
This Cup was first played for during the 1980-81 season and was won by Belmont United Boys FC. Because of the pandemic, this is the first final to be played since 2019.
54 teams entered this season’s competition.
Total Futbol Red are members of the Harrow Youth League and Northwood Youth Black play in the Watford Friendly League.
Both sides had impressive routes to the final. Total Futbol Red beat Hendon Youth Red 9-1 at home in round 1, Parkfield Youth Red 6-0 away in round 2, Parks (Youth) 7-2 away in round 3, Pinnstars Red 6-0 away in the quarter-final and Wealdstone Youth Red 3-0 at home in the semi-final.
Northwood Youth Black beat Whitewebbs Eagles Youth 5-0 at home in round 1, AFC Wembley Youth Red 12-0 at home in round 2, Isleworthians Youth Reds 2-0 away in round 3, Hampton & Richmond Borough Youth 11-1 at home in the quarter-final and FC Starz Red 3-1 in the semi-final.
The duration of matches in this competition is 35 minutes each half.
The weather turned really warm during this very closely contested and entertaining match. The score was 1-1 at half time and remained that way until the final whistle. Total Futbol won the penalty shoot-out 5-4.
The first shot on goal, from Northwood’s James King in the first minute, hit the Total Futbol cross bar.
Total Futbol’s top scorer, Kaream Thomas hit a 30 yard free kick, which was blocked. Then Kai Errington’s shot from outside the box was wide.
Northwood went ahead after 19 minutes through Sammy Main, from close range after the ball had been cleared off of the goal line.
Total Futbol’s Dareon Wray won the ball and set up Kai Errington, whose shot was saved by keeper, Tommy Smith. Tommy then confidently handled Archie Friday’s awkward corner kick. He then saved at Michael Gidikov’s feet.
Dareon Wray went on a good run but was eventually blocked, at the cost of a corner. Then he burst right through the Northwood defence but placed his shot narrowly wide. However, he scored the equalising goal in the 38th minute, when he took Kai Errington’s pass and lobbed the ball over the keeper.
Score at half time: Total Futbol Red 1 Northwood Youth Black 1
Northwood keeper, Tommy Smith saved twice at Michael Gidikov’s feet, in the opening minutes of the second half. Then he fell on the ball again to deny Dareon Wray.
Dareon was tripped while cutting in on goal from wide on the left. Kaream Thomas hit the resulting free kick wide of the far post. Then Tommy Smith saved Kaream’s shot on the turn.
Northwood’s Jaron Anakwe had a good chance to put his side back in front from Alfie Carrington’s cross, in the 60th minute. However, keeper, Taylor Arnett saved his close-range shot.
Kaream Thomas won the ball in a tussle in the Northwood penalty area but hit his shot too high. Then he tested the keeper with a low drive. He again worked his way into a shooting position but his shot was just over the bar.
Northwood had a couple of scoring chances before the final whistle. Alex Copas took the ball through and set up Jayden Culverwell, who shot wide. Finally, in the last minute, Ted Evans hit a 30 yard free kick just over the bar.
Score after 70 minutes: Total Futbol Red 1 Northwood Youth Black 1
Northwood went first in the penalty shoot-out.
The first pair of penalty takers, Teddy Evans and Kaream Thomas were both successful.
The second pair, Matteo Cedrola and Jack Ruddick both converted their shots.
The third pair, James King and Charlie Side both scored but keeper Tommy Smith managed to get both of his hands to Charlie’s shot.
Total Futbol’s custodian, Taylor Arnett saved Jaron Anekwe’s shot and Total Futbol midfielder, Archie Friday converted, giving his side a 4-3 lead, after 4 penalties each.
Jonathan Todd converted Northwood’s 5th penalty but Kieran Bhachu also scored to win the cup for Total Futbol.
Penalty shoot-out score: Northwood 4 Total Futbol 5
Referee Paul Mitchell and his team of officials handled the match very well.
The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Councillor John Lewis, who was introduced to the teams and match officials before the game and presented the cup and mementoes afterwards, chose Total Futbol striker, Kaream Thomas as Player of the Match.
The attendance was 238.
Total Futbol Red: Taylor Arnett, Raphie London, Teddy Moulder, Charlie Side, Jack Ruddick, Kai Errington, Kaream Thomas, Elias Berrouane, Harry Ward, Archie Friday and Tao Liverpool.
Rolling substitutes: Michael Gidikov, Dereon Wray, Aryan Patel, Kieran Bhachu and Rayan Fatahi.
Manager: Carl Oliver Coaches: Perry Arnett and Nicroy Thomas.
Northwood Black: Tommy Smith, Alex Kemp, Jack Hall, Ted Evans, Sammy Main, Matteo Cedrola, Maksymilian Wolski, Jonathan Todd, Jaron Anekwe, Alfie Carrington and Albert Moriarty.
Rolling substitutes: Alex Copas, Benjamin Burgess, CJ Spicer, James King and Jayden Culverwell.
Manager: Brian Evans
Referee: Paul Mitchell Assistant Referees: Kissi Williams and Mohammed Kausar Fourth Official: Prince-Zakkai Small.
We thank Chris & Jimf or supporting us on this Final, as ever they have selected some of their favourite shots from the match, Chris has also kindly provided a full album of imagery.
