Brent u15 vs Thurrock u15
Brent U15’s continued their campaign with a massive home fixture against Thurrock in the semi finals of the London Cup on Saturday 23rd May.
The game began, with a Brent backline of Kai Watts (Goalkeeper), Calvin Osbourne, Jordon Green, Henry Marku and wing backs, Nico Pennant and Dylan Singh, who all started with a real energy and enthusiasm. They were focussed and organised, which meant they were winning the ball back and setting up attacks which pushed Thurrock back towards their own goal.
This pressing game was a tone continued by the mid-field of Sharmarke Muse,Dean Toddington,Michael Pandford and Nick Constantinou. They were tireless in their pursuit to win the ball back and then showed great skill and technique when they had the ball. Muse was screening the defence and mid field with superb anticipation of play,Pandford and Toddington were combative but were spreading the ball wide to Pennant and Singh with some fantastic passing and Constantinou was linking play with the midfield and striker Harry Russell.
Russell was again showing hunger and desire to put the Thurrock defence under pressure and when Brent won the ball back he showed real skill and intelligence to create chances and openings for a Brent team who were playing their best half of football of the season.
Brent’s play was fast and decisive and Thurrock were struggling to cope with the passing and moving from a Brent team who were increasingly confident. With Brent in the ascendency, Green made a perfectly timed slide tackle to win the ball back,the ball was then played to Constantinou who turned and drove at the heart of the Thurrock defence. Russell made a great run and was played through with a superb weighted pass from Constantinou-this allowed Russel time to get the ball out of his feet and delicately chip the ball over the goalkeeper to make the game 1-0 to Brent.
Brent continued to press and work as a unit and were displaying great ability on and off the ball-the passing and moving at times was a delight to watch and it allowed Brent to create further chances. Constantinou had an effort well saved by the goalkeeper,Singh had a vicious volley go just wide of the post and Pandford,from a perfect delivered corner from Toddington,had a header acrobatically saved by the Thurrock keeper. However,Thurrock managed to get to half time and keep the score line to 1-0.
Half time 1-0
After some adjustments to the line up, Shaquille Ishmael,Ashlee Hibbert,Isaac D’Andria, Joseph Griffiths and Rory Carlson all joined the play and displayed the same vigour and energy-adding further threat to the Brent attacks and continual solidarity at the back.
Muse,Toddington and Pandford were securing the ball with some combative play and the using the ball with intelligence, sliding in passes for Shaquille Ishmael, and Ashlee Hibbert to test the Thurrock backline. Singh was also having huge success against Thurrock’s right back,showing great speed and skill in his one on one duels.
Ishmael was showing glimpses of skill but Russell was reintroduced to play eager to grab himself a second and within seconds,the ball was at his feet. Russell,who had showed a great touch all game, manouvered the ball skillfully past three defenders and was through on goal. With composure in abundance,he slotted the ball home with an accomplished for finish to make it 2-0,leaving Thurrock deflated and Brent U15 on the verge of getting to their first ever cup final.
With Brent now in the ascendency, Brent’s play was assured and they saw the game out with a professional attitude,adamant on keeping that clean sheet.Thurrock and a couple of free kicks that could have led to goals with better efforts but nothing troubled Watts, who had a solid game at the back,verbally organising the defence and catching any balls into the box with consumate ease.
The game finished 2-0 and Brent were though the the London Cup Final, where they will face South London in what should be a great day for all involved.
Manager, Kim James, stated after the game,”The team were fantastic today. They showed a real hunger and desire to get to their first ever final and potentially win the double,after already winning the league. A special mention must go to Coach Nico,who joined the team this year.He has had a huge impact,bringing ideas on formations and tactics to the team.”
Man of the Match, Harry Russell for showing great skill and scoring 2 goals in a semi final.
Squad: Kai Watts ( Claremont High School), Calvin Osbourne ( Claremont High School ), Dylan Singh (Queens Park Community School ), Joseph Griffths (Queens Park Community School ), Nick Constantinou (Claremont) Dean Toddington ( Queens Park Community School ), Nico Pennant ( Claremont High School ) Henry Marku ( Preston Manot),Shaquille Ishmael ( Kingsbury High), Michael Panford ( Preston Manor High School ) , Ashlee Hibbert ( Kingsbury High School ),Jordon Green (JFS) Isacc D’Andria Queens Park Community School Sharmarke Muse( Queens Park Community School ) Rory Carlson (JFS), Harry Russell,(JFS)