Norfolk reach this year’s FA County Youth Cup Final by beating Cheshire after going a goal behind.

Vauxhall Sports Club, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire - 23.2.19 KO 1:00pm

Final Score: Cheshire U18’s 1-3 Norfolk U18’s

Cheshire started the game as expected at a very fast pace, creating a number of good opportunities in the opening minutes, with one these being taken when a well delivered cross from the right was bundled into the Norfolk goal after the danger had failed to be cleared.

As the game started to settle down, the Norfolk boys started to dictate the pattern of the game maintaining good position with the Cheshire side being very disciplined with all 11 players behind the ball.

Later in the first half Norfolk had a good chance when James Bemrose connected sweetly with a volley from outside the area. His effort sailed just over the Cheshire crossbar to Norfolk’s disappointment. Despite Norfolk beginning to dominate no clear cut chances were being created by the away side.

Norfolk headed into the break knowing that they needed to up their game if they were to give themselves any chance of getting into the final.

Half-Time: Cheshire U18’s 1-0 Norfolk U18’s

With around 10 minutes gone in the second half Norfolk equalised through James Bemrose. Bemrose was pressing the Cheshire defence and forced a mistake which allowed him to gain possession of the ball. He ran forward at speed and calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home. This was the goal Norfolk deserved and it was clear to see this gave the Norfolk side the belief they needed.

Norfolk went in front soon after when substitute Aaron Rich rose the highest to meet a corner from Cameron Wing on the left. His bullet header left the Cheshire goalkeeper no chance of stopping the powerful effort.

In the dying minutes with Cheshire pushing forward, the Norfolk side caught out their opponents with a well worked counter attack that resulted in another substitute scoring this time Karol Wengrzik scoring with a well taken finish to make sure Norfolk reached the final.

Final Score: Cheshire U18’s 1-3 Norfolk U18’s

Line ups:

Cheshire U18’s: Willis, Kuzan, Bolton, Cope, Keenan, Okome, McCaferey, Rowe, Boyle, Gumbs, Leigh.

Subs: Newton, Clarke, Jackson, Lawrence, Percival.

Norfolk U18’s: Milligan, Tinkler (Rich), Philpott, Johnson (c), Ford, Cottingham, Wing (Wengrzik), Murphy, Bemrose (Gilding-Hewitt), Forbes, Watts.

Subs: Lane, Rich, Lane, Gilding-Hewitt, Wengrzik.

Referee: James Bell 

Player of the Match: Owen Murphy – Norfolk U18’s

Norfolk FA would like to thank Portable Toilet Hire Specialists, Toilets+ for being the Official Squad Sponsor of the Norfolk under 18 Representative Squad.