Stubbington 6-8
Mid
Line up: Kelvin Bagot, Jake Beattie, David Smith, Michael Sawbridge ©, David Kilcoyne, Ahmed Sfagsi, Tom Ashton, David Bromhead, Zak Pickett, Michael Wall, Jozef Montigue.
Subs: Ryan Chinn, Miles Hodge, Kane Kellaway.
Needing just three points to seal the title, Chandlers Ford went to Stubbington full of confidence and made the perfect start to the game inspired by Tom Ashton.
Less than a minute into the game, Tom scored a stunning goal as he beat several players with ease before picking out the top corner with a scorching strike from distance.
Moments later, Michael Wall was brought down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty for the foul. Tom stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to double the lead with a confident strike.
Completing a hattrick within the opening ten minutes of the game, Ashton danced his way past his opponents before nearly breaking the back of the net with another quality strike from range for 3-0.
Stubbington pegged Ford back after this blistering start as they caught CFY out on two separate occasions with quick counter attacking football to twice slot the ball past the unprotected Kelvin.
Michael Wall soon put Ford back on the front foot with a superb left foot volley from an exquisite cross from the right. The technique was perfect as Chandlers Ford’s top goal scorer caught the ball full on the volley to lift the ball over the keeper’s head and find the net in style.
The defence of Michael Sawbridge, Jake Beattie, David Smith and David Kilcoyne stood firm against a spell of pressure from the home side towards the end of the half as Stubbington looked to exploit the pace of their forwards with the ball over the top.
HALF TIME: Stubbington 2-4 CFY
The Blues made a very shaky start to the second half as Stubbington forced an early corner and then won a penalty kick soon after as Jake tripped his marker in the box. Kelvin couldn’t keep the ball out as Stubbington came within one goal of drawing level at 3-4.
Zak Pickett continued his goal scoring run of late with a very important strike just when Stubbington were looking dangerously close to getting right back in the game. Wall combined with Zak to set him up and Pickett did all the rest with a tidy finish to make it 3-5.
In this very topsy-turvy end-to-end game focused very much on two attacking sides, Stubbington came back again to make it 4-5.
Captain Michael Sawbridge made his impact felt with a strong presence in the penalty area to keep Ford’s noses in front with two headed goals from corner kicks, whilst Michael Wall rounded off an excellent team move that saw a fine David Bromhead cross headed home leaving the keeper no chance.
Refusing to give up, Stubbington set up a nervy, tense finish for Chandlers Ford who could practically touch the league title they were that close.
This game went right to the wire as the hosts were awarded a second penalty late on for an alleged foul by Kilcoyne, but with the scores at 6-8, Chandlers Ford were relieved and delighted to have held on to their win – the final whistle music to Richard and his side’s ears which signalled CFY had won the league.
After a fantastic season of football and heading the division for so long, Chandlers Ford Youth did themselves proud by finally making the dream a reality, securing the Mid Solent Under 15B League title. Well done to all you boys, this is an absolute credit to each and everyone of you and fully deserved! Each of you are champions in your own right, congratulations!
Ahmed Sfagsi was just overshadowed for the man of the match award by Jake Beattie, but both had terrific games fighting for every ball and battling all the game long.
FULL TIME: Stubbington 6-8 CFY
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