Staffordshire FA County Youth Challenge Cup Final
Tuesday 27th March 2018
at Stone Dominoes FC

Eccleshall Youth 2 - V - 0 Audley Juniors Youth

A cool evening greeted the two teams to Wellbeing Park as the first of our youth finals for the sea-son took place at Stone Dominoes FC.

Audley went on the attack straight from the kick-off but Eccleshall’s keeper Joe Littledyke collected the ball into the box and the danger was cleared.

The opening exchanges were frantic and end to end with both sides looking for an early break-through and Eccleshall were denied openings by an offside flag on a couple of occasions and saw a header from Sam Jarvis narrowly miss the target.

Audley looked to the flanks to try and make their way through a stubborn back line but went behind midway through the half when Miles Johnson chipped a cross towards the far post and skipper Lenny Baker was there to glance the header into the net.

Audley thought they were about to draw level but a last ditch tackle from James Heath denied Ash Roberts a clear run on goal and the opportunity was gone.

A game of few chances sparked to life towards the break when Sam Boundford fired a shot on goal that was saved by Littledyke and then, from a corner, Jamie Cooper hooked an overhead kick just over the bar.

The second half saw Eccleshall double their lead early on and give Audley a mountain to climb.

Audley keeper Lucas Wright could not hold on to a close range shot under pressure and as the ball fell free, Baker was on hand to smash the ball home from a narrow angle for his second of the game.

Eccleshall were proving a tough nut to crack although keeper Littledyke had to be alert to save a long range effort and keep the lead intact.

As the half wore on, and with few clear chances at either end, Declan Arber had a great chance to seal the trophy but he was denied by keeper Wright when clean through on goal.

Audley almost reduced the arrears late on but a late header flashed just over the bar and, despite plenty of effort and possession, they simply could not break down their opponents back line.

Congratulations to Eccleshall on their victory and being crowned Staffordshire FA County Youth Challenge Cup winners for 2017/18.

A big thanks also to the supporters who braved the chilly evening in Stone to support their teams in a competitive final at Wellbeing Park.