Alyth B Whites Reach Cup Final

Paul Joseph - Monday 31st 2008f March 2008

MSPFL Bill Orkin U11 Challenge Cup Semi Final
Alyth Belsize B White 6 HMH Purple 1
Sunday, 30 March, 2008

Under what seemed to be the first blue skies and rainless day for a long time, Alyth Belsize Whites and HMH Purple met in an attempt to reach the cup final.

This was a match that was played in the right spirit between two well organised footballing teams, both of whom had to contend with the wet and heavy condition of the Copthall pitch which was truly energy sapping. This was a classic tale of two halves.

Under real pressure from a well organised and committed HMH attack in the first half, the Whites defended in depth and the back four were obliged to concentrate and work very hard indeed, at times with desperate defending on the part of a committed back line of Ben Gelbart David Fattal, Sarah Ison and Daniel Kanfer.

Goalkeeper Alfred Gherson’s safe handling was an important factor at this time. Gradually after a slow start Alyth began to counter-attack and start to put pressure on the HMH goal. Harry Lewis and Ollie Tuch worked together on the left hand side and worked a throw-in opposite the HMH penalty area. Midfielder Nicky Cooper took a long throw, the ball fell to Zac Capper whose attempt on goal cannoned of the HMH keeper but only to David Joseph who following in, opened the scoring.

HMH fought back with relentless pressure and hit the post from a long shot, before shortly after striking the bar. With five minutes of the first half left, HMH broke through and scored an equaliser which gave Alfred Gherson no chance (1-1). Captain Aaron Nutman, as so often drove Alyth forward again. Alyth hit the post and then the crossbar but could not regain the lead before the break.

Half time arrived with the scores tied and woodwork hit also tied. From the kick-off Aaron Nutman and Ollie Tuch worked the ball into the penalty area where Zac Capper pounced to hit the ball first time into the net (2-1).

Within minutes the lead was extended. David Joseph positioned in front of the goal took a wayward clearance and beating the defender’s, slotted the ball under the HMH keeper (3-1). Alyth drove forward in waves. Aaron Nutman drove in a fierce shot for a fourth goal, and after a scramble Harry Lewis turned the ball into the net for 5-1.

HMH constantly looked to threaten to attack but the Alyth defence including Jamie Dawood and Timbo Cole snuffed out most danger. Soon after, Nicky Cooper, receiving the ball from left winger Ollie Tuch, carefully controlled it and evading the challenge of the nearest HMH defender, struck the ball into the net to complete the scoring for Alyth.

This team includes the core of players who reached the AJY Under 10 final last year and so for some of the team they have achieved reaching a cup final for a second successive year

Alyth Squad: Zac Capper, Timbo Cole, Nicky Cooper, Jamie Dawood, Danny Driver, David Fattal, Ben Gelbart, Alfred Gherson, Sarah Ison, David Joseph, Daniel Kanfer, Max Kramer, Harry Lewis, Aaron Nutman, Isaac Segalov, Ollie Tuch.