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The high winds and uneven surface were never going to suit Carshalton who are a passing side.  Motspur on the other hand play the high ball over the top game and the conditions suited their play better.  This was certainly the case in the first twenty minutes of the game as Carshalton struggled to put their passes together and the wind seemed to add ten yards to every ball.  Motspur looked dangerous and their defence, particularly Oliver Dicks was containing a creative Tyson Philips and Jack Mesure.

After about 30 minutes Motspur broke through the middle and Mark Cowhig in the Carshalton goal found himself one on one with the Motspur striker.  Whilst Mark got the ball away in the follow through the Motspur player went down and the referee blow up for a penalty.  Oliver Dicks for Motspur stepped up to take the kick and slotted home inches beyond the reach of Mark who had gone the right way.  Carshalton 0 Motspur 1.  The rest of the half saw Carshalton come more into the game although Motspur's defence held strong with Connor Self and Steven Harp having a good game.

After the restart it soon became clear that the half time talk had had the desired effect and Carshalton came out with more conviction.  Ten minutes into the half and Chris Tupper was brought down just out side of the Motspur box.  The subsequent free kick took a deflection and at full stretch Chris some how managed to blast the ball into the back of the Motspur net 1-1 and game very much on.  The rest of the half was end-to-end stuff; Dan Coombes in the Carshalton mid field was having a great game, as was Stevie Greenslade in defence.  There were a couple of hundred spectators at the game and boy were they getting value for their money.

At full time both sides looked strong and still had plenty of running in them.  The first session of extra time was uneventful save for some awful refereeing.  The game remained deadlocked and as the second session started everyone was dreading the prospects of a penalty shoot out.

About five minutes into the second session of extra time there followed two pieces of what I can only describe as magic.  Tom Lawler who was winning everything on the right of the Carshalton defence passed forward to Dan Coombes who fired the ball to Tyson Phillips.  Tyson then put a brilliant ball trough splitting the Motspur defence and sending Oliver Adams through one on one with the keeper.  Whilst Oliver was forced wide some how he got a shot away which found the back of the net and  Carshalton went 2-1 up.  With ten minutes of extra time to go some sides would have given in. Not Motspur whose professionalism kept them battling right up to the final whistle, which saw Carshalton, take the Cup.

Carshalton are in with a chance of the League title and whilst we all want the boys to enjoy their achievement the game they have on Wednesday evening is vital.  Rest relax and saver the moment on Bank Holiday Monday but on Tuesday and Wednesday get focused and prepare for the Wednesday evening game.  Only two wins needed but still a lot to do.

Finally the Youth team management have asked that I record their appreciation to all the parents, family, friends and supports for coming to the match yesterday.  You were all great!

The Squad

Luke Adams, Oliver Adams, David Booth, Dan Coombes, Mark Cowhig, Jack Goodman, Stevie Greenslade, Tom Lawler, Richard Mathews, Tyson Phillips, Mark Pucek, Jack Mesure, Chris Tupper, Robert Turner, Darren Wells, Aaron Williams.

Simply the   Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!