OPPONENTS St Margarets LEAGUE / CUP League
HALF TIME SCORE 1-0
FULL TIME SCORE 2-1
SCORERS Sam Taylor, & o.g
MAN OF THE MATCH Sam Taylor
MATCH REPORT
***CHAMPIONS***
Harriers U10�s clinched the division 3 title with a hard fought 2-1 victory over their nearest challengers St Margarets.
With only 2 games to go, both against St Mags who were 4 points behind Harriers, it was always going to be a tense affair, Harriers knowing that a draw would be good enough to claim the title.
Both teams started well, playing good passing football in excellent conditions. It was Harriers who went ahead though, the magnificent Sam Taylor shooting across the keeper into the far corner. Adam Woollcott then missed a great chance to increase the lead before St Mags were awarded a penalty after commanding defender Edward Govier was adjudged to have handled.
Harriers keeper Sam Stickings, who has improved with every game this season, made a great save from the penalty kick to keep Harriers lead in tact.
Harriers continued to press in the first half, Darren O�Connell, Jamie Dale and MOM Sam Taylor dominating the midfield, but they were unable to add to their lead.
The second half was a tighter affair, St Mags knowing they had to score twice to keep their title hopes alive. Joshua Robinson and Govier in defence both had excellent games, keeping out the St Mags attackers, who continued to push forward in search of the equaliser. It was Sam Taylor though who earned Harriers a second goal. Determined to make his mark on the game, Taylor burst forward up the left flank and drove in a hard low cross towards Woollcott at the far post. An unlucky St Mags defender, in a desperate attempt to cut out the cross, couldn�t help diverting the ball into his own net to put Harriers 2-0 up.
Harriers had further chances to extend their lead, O�Connell getting forward well only to see his shot go wide, and the industrious Jamie Dale flicked the ball just wide. Woollcott, having another great game up front saw his long shot saved well by the keeper.
With 10 minutes to go St Mags got back into the game. A corner to the far post was unluckily deflected into his own net by O�Connell, who shortly after had to come off after giving his all for the team.
The last 10 minutes were very tense and very exciting. Harriers retreated deeper into their own half, allowing St Mags to attack. William Campbell came on for O�Connell and ably assisted his defence, and Sam Stickings made 2 good save from long shots.
Woollcott, now alone up front held the ball up well to buy time for his team, and Taylor continued to cover every part of the field. Govier and Robinson held firm at the back and Harriers held on for their 12th consecutive league victory, making it 14 wins out of 15 league games.
Squad: Sam Stickings, Joshua Robinson (capt), Edward Govier, Sam Taylor, Darren O�Connell, Jamie Dale, Adam Woollcott, Jack Vincer, William Campbell, Samuel Brett, Nick Dearberg, Luke Holland-Batt, John Hall, Kieran Staff.