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The day started damp and overcast, but was brightened considerably by a competitive and well contested cup final at Imber Court , played in a tremendous atmosphere.  All boys were welcomed onto the pitch by stunning crowd support, particularly from the Carshalton friends and family; one area where Carshalton certainly won the day.

From kick off the boys' nerves showed when the ball found its way through the centre of the team resulting in a Carshalton goal kick. Heart stopping!  The boys then settled and enjoyed the majority of possession and territory through the first half by pure determination and some good passing moves. Carshalton had more attempts on goal but Tooting's proved more clinical. 1-0 to Tooting at half time.

From the latter part of the first and start of the second half Tooting found composure and time and started to move the ball more effectively. This resulted in a free kick just outside the Carshalton ‘D’.  With the size of goal at this age group, any free kick within this range typically results in a goal.  Carshalton benefited from the same in their semi final against Epsom.  Two goals down, the Carshalton crowd picked up the boys again. 

After conceding two further well-taken goals most teams would have folded. Carshalton, however, fought to the end and were rightly rewarded with a goal. Following an attacking move, set up by Kristian on the right and after a scramble with the Tooting goalkeeper, Lewis picked up the loose clearance just outside the box and shot perfectly over the last defender and into the net.

My best memories of the day include: Jake shoulder tapping the referee in the pre match line up, Dan’s low left handed save before half time, Chris’ ‘Bobby Moore’ challenge, Mike’s clearance off the line, Lewis’ clinically finished shot, and particularly the Carshalton crowd.

To sum up the event I consider that any impartial viewer, when comparing the faces of boys from either team after the game, would not have been able to identify the winners smile.  A great match and advert for Carshalton FC Youth Football.   

Andrew Stokoe 

Carshalton U11s with their trophies

Supporters take their positions