Young church football teams win finals
By Keith Morris
Three young church football teams from St John’s, Meadow Way and St Catherine’s, lifted trophies on Saturday as winners of the knockout competitions in the Norfolk Christian Youth League. .
The three very close-fought finals of the Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16s knockout cups took place on the new 3G Astroturf pitches at Thorpe St Andrew School on Saturday May 12.
In the
Under 12 competition, a very skilful
St John’s team scored through captain
Calum Burke in the first half and had an effort cleared off the line on the stroke of half-time. Opponents
St Peter’s Easton fought hard but could not find a decisive response. Their consolation was winning the league title beating St John’s into second place.
In the Under 14 final, underdogs Meadow Way and St Peter’s Easton matched each other throughout the game, then, in the final minute, a box-to-box move was finished off in some style when George Cuffley scored the winner with no time left for St Peter’s to reply.
The
Under 16 final was an even closer contest between
Broadland Lads and
St Catherine’s. St Catherine’s hit a post during normal time, which was the closest either side came to getting a winner.
Extra time was the same with solid defending and chances at a premium. A tense penalty shoot-out followed.
St Peter’s scored all five of theirs and goalkeeper Jack Allen dived to his right to block one Broadland penalty and win the cup for his team.
Founding league chairman
Tim Stapleford, reflected on 12 successful years of the Youth League before presenting the trophies: “It has been an exciting journey over that time,” he said. “We are not just here for the football but to try to set an example about how we should go about living our lives.”
Pictured above and right, are the winning teams plus action from finals day: St John's top, Meadow Way, middle and, St Catherine's, bottom.