Norfolk U12's Cup Final 2023 Match report Web Banner

Eagles soar to victory

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Costessey Sports Eagles became the 22-23 Norfolk U12's Cup Winners on Sunday, beating Scole United 4-2 at Harrod Sport Arena.

Scole United vs Costessey Sports Eagles – The Norfolk U12’s Cup Final                    

Harrod Sport Arena, 21.05.23, KO 10.30am

Final Score: Scole United 2– 4 Costessey Sports Eagles

 

EAGLES SOAR TO VICTORY

Costessey Sports Eagles became the Norfolk U12’s Cup winners on Sunday after beating Scole United 4-2 at The FDC’s Harrod Sport Arena.

After a dominant first half, Costessey took a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Rudy Campbell, Theo Owen and Riley Farrow. The Eagles made it 4-0 in the first minute of the second half with Owen getting his second while Farrow got his brace of assists.

Goals from Mikolaj Dubiel and Reece Banks spurred a second half resurgence for Scole however they fell just short with Costessey seeing out the game to win.

Costessey began on the front foot, forcing a corner in the opening three minutes which caused no trouble for the Scole defence. They had to be alert to clear instantly after however, as Captain Elliot Henry drove down the right hand side, beat a player and delivered a dangerous cross into the area.

The Eagles capitalised on their early pressure only moments later when a Riley Farrow corner toward the back post was met first time by Rudy Campbell who volleyed across Toby Fausset into the bottom right corner.

Costessey began to exert their dominance on the game, doubling the advantage five minutes later when some neat build up play between Farrow and Adam Rozier saw Theo Owen receive the ball just outside the area. The forward drove his shot into the bottom left corner past to make it 2-0.

Moments later Costessey could have had a third after again some great two touch build up play saw Louie Smith receive in the box and fire a rasping strike toward the goal. An excellent block from Scole Captain Reece Banks thwarted the attempt, however the Eagles remained ruthless and got their reward in the following minute.

Excellent build up play saw a sea of red around the Scole area and the ball fell to Farrow inside the box, the number 10 struck well into the bottom corner putting the score at 3-0.

Good defensive play from Clay Gipson and a great volleyed clearance from Seth Scott kept the score at three, and allowed a Scole counter attack which saw Joseph Hawes almost latch on to a through ball that evaded the Costessey back line. Moments later Scole had their first truly dangerous attempt when Banks stepped onto the ball on halfway and sent a first-time strike just over the bar.

Costessey continued to look dangerous and immediately countered, with Smith coming extremely close again, striking the post after an excellent through ball by Owen.

As half time approached, Costessey looked to put the game to bed and would have had a fourth if it wasn’t for an outstanding reaction save from Fausset. The rebound was directed just wide of the goal, and though Farrow picked up the ball directly from the goal kick, Fausset was on hand again to save.

Half time: Scole United 0 – 3 Costessey Sports Eagles

Costessey started much like they did the first and forced a corner in the opening minute. Farrow stepped up to take again and once more delivered a dangerous ball which Owen met first time to head home.

Scole may have had a penalty shout moments later when claims for a pull down were called on the right-hand side of the area, however Referee Francesca Catchpole adjudged the infraction to have taken place just outside. Hawes stepped up to take the free kick and struck an excellent shot toward the far corner which thundered off the left post.

Good play from Scott and Mikolaj Dubiel saw Scole try to push forward and get themselves back into the game, however the away side’s midfield recovered well to stop the Yellows gaining any momentum.

Hawes and Dubiel came closest to scoring again moments later when a series of strikes amongst a goal mouth scramble saw a combination of the Costessey defence and stopper James Watson produce some excellent reactions to preserve their clean sheet.

Good forward play by Frankie Bennett that saw him combine with Dubiel and Malachi Hunter saw Scole enter their best period of the game. Connor Solley pushed forward to attempt to finish a passing move from the right-hand side but couldn’t get enough contact on the strike to trouble Watson.

Banks drove forward with the ball, beating two players with sheer power and pace, and released a wonderful through ball to Hunter which resulted in a corner for the Yellows. This saw Solley step forward again to finish the set piece first time, however again the defender couldn’t get his contact right to find the back of the net.

Scole finally opened their account when the ball was cleared and Dubiel was fouled when retrieving it, with the number 11 staying in position to take the set piece himself. The wideman stepped up and curled a brilliant strike around and to the right of Watson to get one back for his side.

Moments later Scole had their second, and again from another free kick. This time it was Banks who stepped up to take from 25 yards and drilled his shot toward goal with ferocity, the sheer power of the strike was unstoppable, and the net bulged as momentum shifted towards the Yellows.

As the final five minutes approached, Costessey tried to regain control of the game and another Smith free kick looked destined to settle things until Fausset shifted quickly to claim the ball with confident hands. They almost sealed the deal when Rozier received the ball on the counter and went through one on one, but a brilliant recovery run from Noah Bainbridge saw him get a touch and force Rozier to fire wide.

In a frantic end to the game, Henry had to be on hand to clear and stop a third for Scole, while Owen played Rozier through up the other end and Fausset again was on hand to clear. Smith then fired another free kick just wide, followed by Rozier pressing tenaciously to win the ball high but excellent shielding from Solley ensured he couldn’t get any joy.

Solley then fouled Rozier on the counter, giving Costessey a free kick on the edge of the area in stoppage time. Smith stepped up to take again and once again Fausset was equal to the strike with an excellent parried save.

Banks drove forward on the counter and his strike was tame but earned his team a corner. The set piece evaded everyone and proved to be the last action of the game as Costessey Sports Eagles became the 22-23 Norfolk U12’s Cup Winners.

Final Score: Scole United 2 – 4 Costessey Sports Eagles

 

Line ups:

Scole United: Toby Fausset, William Taylor, Connor Solley, Frankie Bennett, Seth Scott, Malachi Hunter, Mikolaj Dubiel, Noah Brainbridge, Reece Banks ©.

Subs: Clay Gipson, Riley Windle, Joseph Hawes, Jed Huckle.

 

Costessey Sports Eagles: James Watson, Adan Rozier, Samuel Mallett, Elliot Henry ©, Rudy Campbell, Riley Farrow, Louie Smith, Theo Owen, Walter Eze.

Subs: Isaac Carder, Oskar Lister, Jacob Hughes, Aaron Jantjies, Jamie Owen.

 

Referee: Francesca Catchpole            

Assistants: Megan O’Connor & Lucie Morley

Fourth Official: Jake Grange

Attendance: 145

Player of the Match: Riley Farrow

Photography: Cyan Fullbrook