Brent U15’s continued their campaign with a home fixture against Newham in the quarter- finals of the London Cup on Wednesday 13th May.
The game began with a Brent backline of Kai Watts (Goalkeeper), Calvin Osbourne, Jordon Green, Joseph Griffiths,Nico Pennant and Dylan Singh, who were being harrrased and harried by the Newham attack which pushed Brent back towards their own goal. This pressing game, allowed the midfield many opportunities to get on the ball and Newham were soon dictating play.
Brent’s play was slow and Newham were taking full advantage of a below par performance, creating chance faster chance-however-Kai Watts,man of the match,made stunning save after stunning save,keeping out long shots,winning 3-4 one on ones,collected crosses and basically kept Brent in the game-without Watts, the a sore could have been 4-0 at half time but an heroic performance kept Brent in with a fighting chance.
Half time: 0-0
After a stern half time team talk, Brent showed character and started the second half with vigour and energy.
The holding two in midfield, of Dean Toddington and Michael Pandford were securing the ball with some combative play and the using the ball with intelligence, sliding in passes for Shaquille Ishmael, Nick Constantinou and Ashlee Hibbert to test the Newham backline.
However,Brent then let their tempo drop and Newham began to cause problems agaun with pace and power in behind, which was once again halted and controlled by Watts. Watts continued to dominated his area and dictated proceedings. More saves,more bravery and more heroics from Watts, meant with 10 minutes to go the score was still 0-0 and Brent still had a chance at reaching the semi final.
Ishmael,now playing up top had shown glimpses of skill throughout the game but had failed to create an opportunity for himself but then it happened.
A ball over the top put Ishmael through and with the Newham keeper rushing out to shut down the angle, Ishmael delicately lobbed the ball over his head to make in 1-0 to Brent and leave Newham deflated.
After all the pressure and missed opportunities from Newham,Brent had punished them and there was now only going to be one winner.
With Brent now in the ascendancy, Hibbert picked up the ball on the half way line,took the ball on the half turn and drove and the heart of be Newham defence. Twisting and turning he dribbled all the way to the box and with his right foot banged home the ball at the near post to secure the semi final place and a 2-0 victory.
Coach Kim stated after the game,” Football is a cruel game at times as Newham definitly deseants to win the game but the team learnt a valuable lesson today- in that – even if you are nor playing at got best, if you can stay in gone game,stick together and show resilience then anything is possible in football.”
Man of the Match, Kai Watts
Squad: Kai Watts ( Claremont High School), Calvin Osbourne ( Claremont High School ), Dylan Singh (Queens Park Community School), Joseph Griffiths (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