Trinity Schools’ Cup Final 2008

Colfe’s eventually emerged as winners of this pulsating final played at the Tooting and Mitcham United Football Ground on Wednesday 16 ^th April. On a well used pitch, not exactly compatible with silky passing skills, both teams took time to settle.

Colfe’s missed a great opportunity on 14 minutes when Chris Padfield was put clean through, but his attempted chip was comfortably saved. However, it was Padfield who opened the scoring on 27 minutes with a well placed volley, from a long throw into the 6 yard box from Jake Mallen. Colfe’s lead was unfortunately short lived. Within 3 minutes Yemi Brown conceded an unnecessary corner and from the resulting kick City of London equalised with a crisp shot.

Both teams struggled to create any clear openings, until on the stroke of half-time a long City of London clearance was allowed to bounce in Colfe’s half. The City centre forward beat both Ben Sullivan and Brown to the ball, before heading over the advancing John Cooper for a 2-1 half-time lead.

Although behind Colfe’s knew at the interval that the game was still far from over. Following discussion on our defensive positioning and attacking options the second half began well with the majority of play in City of London’s half. After 10 minutes Tom Castro replaced Marcel Reid which allowed Mallen to move up alongside Padfield in attack, with Ed Willoughby dropping into defence. Alex Bentley and Conor Henderson in particular combined well to create a number of openings but despite having the majority of possession a Colfe’s goal did not materialise. On 66 minutes Colfe’s were cruelly punished when the strong and pacy City centre forward took advantage of a rare opportunity, getting behind Colfe’s defence to lob over Cooper and put C of L 3-1 up.

Dan Courtneidge was introduced in attack for Sam Wallis as Colfe’s continued with just three at the back. A succession of free kicks in good positions all promised a Colfe’s goal but the City defence held firm. With time rapidly running out Sam Stamp played a good ball down the line to Courtneidge, his cross was met on the volley by Henderson with a great strike from 16 yards for Colfe’s second goal. It appeared the goal was too late but Colfe’s kept up tremendous pressure. Willoughby put Bentley away on the right and his cross into the 6 yard box fell to Mallen at the far post who forced the ball in for a dramatic equaliser two minutes into stoppage time.

In the first period of extra time Colfe’s had all the play with both Courtneidge and Bently shooting wide. It looked as if penalties would be needed to conclude the game, but in dramatic fashion Colfe’s took the lead with just six minutes remaining. An excellent low shot from Willoughby hit the foot of a post, Courtneidge crossed in the rebound and in the resulting scramble for the ball Bentley scored from close range at the back post.

Hayden Deol was immediately introduced as an additional defender replacing Mallen up front for the closing few minutes. However, Colfe’s had not finished and with three minutes remaining a brilliant run into the box by Henderson put him clear through and he accurately chipped the City ‘keeper for a decisive fifth goal.

Within moments the final whistle sounded and Colfe’s victory celebrations began. Richard Russell, Headmaster of Colfe’s spoke to the crowd from the pitch before presenting the City team with their Runners-up medals and Colfe’s with their Winners medals, concluding with the presentation of the Trinity Cup to captain Chris Padfield in a shower of champagne.

 

Colfe’s Team : John Cooper, Jake Mallen (Goal 80 mins.+2, sub off 94 mins), Yemi Brown, Ben Sullivan, Sam Wallis (sub off 69 mins), Marcel Reid (sub off 50 mins), Ed Willoughby, Conor Henderson (Goals 77, 97 mins), Sam Stamp, Alex Bentley (Goal 94 mins), Chris Padfield (Goal 27 mins).

Subs : Tom Castro (on 50 mins), Dan Courtneidge (on 69 mins), Hayden Deol (on 94 mins).